By Dianabasi Effiong
FLOWERBUDNEWS : Deaconess Glory Effiong, the Chairman of Ibeno Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, has called for diligence, greater transparency, and inclusiveness in the implementation of processes and structures under the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) especially those affecting oil-bearing communities.
She made the call when a delegation of the Executive Committee of the Energy and Maritime Reporters of Nigeria (EMR), Akwa Ibom State Branch, visited her in the Council Secretariate, Upenekang on Friday.
The Council’s Executive Chairman commended EMR for embarking on the Core Oil Communities visit, describing it as an important initiative to promote better understanding between communities, government, the media, and other stakeholders in the state.
She also said that more attention be paid to the community development needs, including productive engagement of the youths, and opportunities for local businesses’ growth.
She also appealed to relevant stakeholders to support initiatives that encourage residents and indigenes to benefit more from lawful economic activities in Ibeno.
According to the council Chairman, deeper stakeholder engagement on the challenges, development needs and emerging opportunities associated with oil and gas activities in Council’s domain, were forever desirable and beneficial to the people of the area.
Deaconess Effiong the EMRs Core Oil Communities Tour to Ibeno, led by the State Chairman, Comrade Harrison Ndifreke, was timely.
She expressed her happiness to receive the EMR team with the Secretary of the Council, the Leader of the Legislative Council and other officials of the Council.
The engagement provided an opportunity for the association and the local government officials to exchange views on issues affecting the oil-producing and coastal community, including local content development, environmental protection, oil spills, youth empowerment, community development, host community relations, maritime activities and the emerging blue economy.
Earlier, the EMR State Chairman, Comrade Harrison Ndifreke, said the visit was designed to give the association a firsthand understanding of the realities in communities at the heart of the state’s oil and maritime economy.
According to him, EMR is interested in listening to the people, engaging relevant stakeholders and ensuring that issues affecting oil-producing communities receive responsible and balanced media attention.
He said that Ibeno was strategic to the energy and maritime sectors of Akwa Ibom State and Nigeria, adding that its coastal location and oil-producing status provide enormous opportunities for sustainable development.
“We are here to listen, to understand and to report. Ultimately, we want to contribute our quota towards promoting a more sustainable, prosperous and inclusive future for Ibeno and Akwa Ibom State,” Ndifreke said.
He assured the Council that the association would continue to uphold the principles of factual, balanced and responsible journalism.
He said that the media could draw attention to areas requiring intervention, and showcase positive developments, opportunities and possible solutions.
Also, the Secretary of EMR, Comrade Mabel Ekanem, expressed appreciation to the Executive Chairman and other officials of the Council for receiving the delegation and providing an opportunity for meaningful interaction.
She restated EMR’s commitment to maintain sustained engagement with oil-producing and maritime communities across Akwa Ibom State.
According to her, the association will continue to deploy responsible journalism to promote informed public discourse, strengthen community participation and draw attention to opportunities within the energy and maritime sectors.
The Core Oil Communities Tour is an initiative of the EMR Akwa Ibom State Branch to engage communities, document developments, identify challenges and opportunities, and promote constructive dialogue among government, industry players, host communities and other stakeholders in the state’s energy and maritime sectors.