By Ikenna Orioha
Imo State Commander, Man ‘O’ War Nigeria, Dr. Adizua Camelia, has told government and oil companies exploring oil in Imo State to ensure that they should adequately address the needs of oil producing communities to reduce hunger, poverty, and crisis in the area.
She said the restiveness in the Niger Delta area of Imo State is due to total neglect of the oil bearing communities especially in the areas of social amenities like electricity, portable water, solid road and quality/affordable healthcare.
She also included scholarship for students, overseas internship for all youths/graduates and sustained employment, saying if these measures are efficiently, firmly and fairly put in place hunger, poverty and restiveness would minimally reduce.
Adizua spoke in an interview during the grand finale of the 2024 International Women’s Month, organized by Princess Calista Anene, last week, in Owerri.
The Imo State Man ‘O’ War Commander, regretted that the people of Oguta, Ohaji and Egbema are suffering abyssimal infrastructure, empowerment and employment deficit and neglect in the hands of government and the oil multinationals despite huge oil deposits being tapped in the area.
She added that the Global Memorandum of Understanding clearly reached between host communities and oil companies should be heeded so that the corporate social responsibilities are squarely and adequately met to reduce poverty, hunger, anger, to enhance development and economic prosperity.
“The marginalization of the Niger Delta people should stop. Government and oil companies should rise to the occasion by doing the needful as enshrined in Global Oil Act. With adequate electricity, road, hospital, portable water, employment, monthly bursary to every indigene of host oil communities, oversee internship and scholarships to students, graduates, prosperity and peace will be the order of the day at the Niger Delta area”, Adizua harped.
While delivering a lecture on “The Importance of Women Education”, earlier on the programme, Adizua advised parents to ensure that they train their girl child in school and other meaningful skills so that they become more useful to themselves, families and the community.
“Education of women is very valuable as such helps to develop a sustainable livelihood, develops the family, as well as helps females to avoid being destroyed, abused and cheated”, she stressed.
