HOSTCOM Calls On Bayelsa Government To Establish BASOPADEC.

 

The Host Communities of Nigeria Producing Oil and Gas ( HOSTCOM), has once again pleaded with the Bayelsa State Government to as a matter  of urgency, create the Bayelsa State Oil Producing  Development Commission (BASOPADEC) as it is seen in other oil producing states to 

compliment the 3% annual OPEX. 

Speaking of Friday in Yenagoa when the body paid a courtesy call on Barrister Peter Afagha, the new Commissioner of Ministry of Mineral Resources, Bayelsa State, Highness Dr. Benjamin Style Tamaranebi, the National Chairman of HOSTCOM who spoke on behalf of the group added that with the establishment of BASOPADEC in the state, most of the teething problems facing  host communities will be minimized.

Asking for a robust collaboration between HOSTCOM and the ministry, the national chairman used the opportunity of the visit to bring to the attention of the commissioner the issue of petroleum industry Act, (PIA) 2021  where  the host  communities have been granted  3% annual operating cost by law.

HOSTCOM also asked that  the host communities be allowed to take part in surveillance contracts adding that it will make them secure the oil facilities well.

It also asked for a stakeholders meeting that will  comprise all the relevant stakeholders to chart a way forward.

He said:" We are calling on Governor Douge Diri to create BASOPADEC. This commission is in other oil producing states. It is the governor that will choose the chairman of the commission and put commissioners.

 The commission will do projects in the name of  the governor. I want to solicit that you help us push so that this commission will be established.

"I want to use this medium to quickly point out that government should call for stakeholders meeting of all HCDTS in  the state, all settlors operating in the state, the leadership of HOSTCOM and traditional rulers or better still, TROMPCON leadership alongside NUPRC and NMDPRA for collaboration."

 "This will build strong relationship between the government, host communities , HCDT'S and settlors where communities will be watchdog and report any illicit, criminal act, oil 

bunkering, kidnapping and any anti-social vices to security agents  and to protect our environment from pollution."

 "Host Communities has been dragged into crude oil theft  and pipeline vandalisation and they came up with section 257 sub-section 2 to take away the 3% but to God be the glory, we have been vindicated by recent discovery that is on going."

"The said crime  is an organised one  by three actors  comprising  of the  operators, those in authority and  the security  operatives. They  are the collaborators in siphoning our common wealth and desecrating our environment and accusing our communities and planning to rub host communities of there meagre 3% annual OPEX."

"Let our communities  be allowed to be  partakers in the surveillance job directly and also clearing of right of way as sign of inclusiveness due to Section 257 sub-section 2."

HOSTCOM also asked that the money received from Gas flaring penalties be used  for the purpose of environmental remediation and relief of the host community's of the settlor on which the penalty are levied. 

Also lending their voices, Major Andrew Oputa and Dr Sele Duke all members of HOSTCOM collaborating what their national chairman ssid about establishing BASOPADEC, asked that the Prosperity Government should see it as a matter of urgency adding that it will help a lot in ameliorating the sufferings of the host communities.

Reacting to the demands, Barrister Peter Afagha, the honourable Commissioner of Mineral Resources said that the ministry was ready to collaborate with HOSTCOM.

 

 He assured that he will take the message of demands for the establishment of BASOPADEC and calling for stakeholders meeting to the governor maintaining that the outcome of the message will be communicated to the body.