The Commissioner for Environment in Abia State, Mr. Philemon Asonye Ogbonna, has highlighted major developmental challenges facing Owaza, the largest oil producing community in Abia State.
Addressing the youths of the four autonomous communities in the area during a meeting convened by him on Saturday at the Etitioha Hall, Ogbonna, who cited divisive tendencies and internal wranglings as the major challenges that have hindered the steady growth of the communities, urged the youths to embrace peace through genuine reconciliation and collective responsibility.
He called for an end to hostilities and a return to the brotherhood spirit that once characterised the existence of the people of Owaza communities.
The Commissioner took the opportunity to inform the youths that the Governor of Abia State, Dr. Alex Otti stood for fairness, equity and accountability, stressing that they should avoid unlawful activities to allow for proper government-community synergy to thrive.
Ogbonna disclosed that the Otti administration had prioritised electricity restoration to Ukwa West Local Government Area, and called for their support to the government towards building a New Abia.
On the lingering issue of constituting functional central youth and town union bodies in Owaza, the Honourable Commissioner relayed the Governor’s directive that all community leadership structures must operate in harmony and in accordance with due process. He stressed that the Otti Administration supports the institutional functionality of town unions as vehicles for grassroots governance, while recognising youths as strategic partners in community mobilization.
He, therefore, sued for restraint, patience, and civility pending the legal constitution of the central bodies.
The Honourable Commissioner condemned the rising incidents of theft and vandalism affecting oil and gas infrastructure and other community assets in Owaza, and appealed for vigilance to avoid some ugly incidents experienced by the communities in the past.
In his contributions, a critical stakeholder in the Owaza Community, Dr. Lucky Nkem Eleogu, informed the youths of the existence of a sharing formula of 60:40 ratio, being a local arrangement that dates back to 2016, for monies that oil and gas companies pay to the communities. He explained further that such monies are shared between oil-host communities and stakeholders on a 60:40% basis.
He enlightened them on the Petroleum Industry Act, (PIA), and noted that the current challenge lies not in the law itself but on how it is applied and understood at the community level
Dr. Eleogu, who is a Leadership Consultant, stressed the need for the youths to guard against economic sabotage, pointing out that a people who destroy their heritage undermine their future.
The meeting was part of the Abia State Government’s broader efforts to strengthen community-government relations, foster peace building and enable sustainable development at the grassroots.
