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The government of Bayelsa State says it will engage host communities to ensure the effective implementation of the Host Community Development Trust.
The state commissioner for Environment Mr. Ebi Ololo, stated this in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State capital, at a town hall meeting organised by the African Centre for Leadership, Strategy And Development, Kebetchache Women Development and Resource Centre and Mac-Jim Foundation to sensitize host communities on the implementation of the PIA.
Mr. Ololo stressed that the successful implementation of the PIA’s host communities’ provisions was crucial for the sustainable development and enduring peace in the state.
“Over the coming weeks and months, the ministry will work out modalities to engage communities extensively to ensure the implementation plans of the Host Community Development Trust. Only through close collaboration can we ensure that the benefits reach the people who need them the most”.
In a goodwill message, the Executive Director of Kebetchache Women Development and Resource Centre, Dr. Emem Okon advocated that the Host Community Development scheme should be implemented to benefit communities, particularly the women folk and also address pressing needs of the communities.
Dr. Okon remarked that “the PIA and the host Community development scheme should create opportunities for local communities to participate in the governance process and ensure they benefit from it. The most important benefit is improving the quality of life of community member”.
Also speaking, the traditional ruler of Elebele community in Ogbia Local Government Area, His Royal Highness, David Osene Osene, who commended the Federal Government for initiating the bill to develop and transform the host communities, however called for transparency in the implementation of the Act to benefit the host communities.
HRH Osene said “it will make the people to know the communities are carried along”.
He also lamented that most of the communities were not aware of the provisions of the PIA.
A participant, Mrs. Esther Orubo from Otuabagi community lamented that the PIA did not capture the interest of the women, pointing out that the Act has rather deepened the suffering of Otuabagi women.
A communique will be issued at the end of the two day town hall meeting.
