From Stanley Uzoaru, Owerri
King Alfred Diette-Spiff,the Amayanagbo of Twon Brass,Bayelsa State has expressed optimism that if the potentialities of the oil rich communities of Urashi are properly harnessed,it would be likened to places like the Dubai Emirates.
The monarch speaking as a special guest at a stakeholders summit for oil rich communities in the south south and southeast in Owerri tagged “Our people beyond oil” noted that the communities could be rich and adequately cater for itself if they reasoned beyond oil as their means of livelihood.
He emphasised that if the youths of the oil rich communities are properly invested in via training and empowerment,they would blossom and contribute to development of their areas.
According to him “We want our people to come and instil ideas of what we should do after oil. We should come up with far-reaching decisions.
“The people of Urashi, communities should train young people as pilots. This is an area we can invest in from there you can decide to have an airline at the same vain we should have a maritime academy to train our children to meet an international standard and compete anywhere in the world.
This is an opportunity we have to discuss so many other opportunities to benefit our people outside of oil. We have also heard of solar power, and wind power and our people should also be investing in these areas.”
Governor Hope Uzodimma represented at the occasion by the State commissioner for Petroleum,Eugene Opara reiterated the importance of the dredging of the Urashi river to the people.
Uzodimma pointed out that the planned dredging of the Urashi river would be of great economic benefit to communities around the Urashi riverine areas.
“I am pleased with this summit, especially the focus on how our people should look beyond oil and we are asking the people of Urashi communities what is their faith beyond oil. It is good monarchs from oil areas are here. You people deserve more than what you have benefitted.
“Like Chapter 3 of the Petroleum Industry Act(PIA) has created a relationship between the community and the stages of how the communities can benefit from the oil exploration in their communities.
“The PIA provided the provision for the board of trustees. So, we plead with our people not to fight over positions but rather let us work together to achieve the desired goal. Also, we appeal to our brothers to remove selfishness so that we can benefit.
“Just like we are talking of the Urashi dredging river project which covers a lot of communities. The Imo state government is working towards how to make our youths employable and benefit from the project.”
“To achieve this, more than 2000 Imo youths are to be trained to benefit from the Urashi river project. Dredging of the Urashi river will help the oil-free zone project, and boost economic activities in the oil communities,” the governor said.” The governor said.
Also speaking, the convener of the Urashi Economic summit, Ejike Chukwu, said:” the Urashi River project is to prepare us for the future of oguta, Ohaji, Ndoni and all the communities leaving around the Urashi river.
