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The Bayelsa government on Thursday reiterated its commitment to a peaceful atmosphere for oil and gas exploration and urged community leaders to foster peace.
Dr Ibere Jones, commissioner for Mineral Resources made the call at the inauguration of the 25 member Dodo River Community Rural Development Association in Yenagoa.
The Dodo River Communities Rural Development Association in Ekeremor Local Government Area in Bayelsa hosts Chevron Nigeria Limited which funds development projects in the area under the Global Memorandum of Understanding (GMoU).
The communities are Amatu 1, Amatu 2, Bilabiri 1, Bilabiri 2, and Bisangbene.
Jones noted that the Governor Douye Diri led administration places premium on peace as a precondition for fulfilling its Prosperity Agenda for the people of the oil-rich state.
“The administration of Gov Douye Diri is very keen on maintaining peace for economic activities to thrive and it is a prerequisite for the realisation of its Prosperity Agenda, and without peace there cannot be progress and prosperity.
“So the government sees peace as a fundamental basis for everything we do and the governor is very careful and passionate in providing a peaceful environment for businesses to thrive and attract more investment to the state,” Jones said.
The commissioner performed the inauguration of the new leadership of the association at the Dodo River Communities secretariat located at Kpansia area of Yenagoa, Bayelsa capital.
He advised the new leadership to justify the confidence reposed on them by their communities by running a transparent and accountable administration and ensure judicious application of development funds at its disposal.
In a speech after inauguration, Mr Francis Amamogiran, chairman of Dodo River Communities Rural Development Association noted that the GMoU model adopted by Chevron placed the communities at the driver’s seat in the development process.
“So far the GMoU is the only process that has provided answer to development, transparency, accountability and lasting peace in the Niger Delta. I commend Chevron for the landmark history it has made in the Niger Delta with the introduction of the noble idea of the GMoU.
“What is more remarkable is the commitment of officials of Chevron to the implementation of the terms of the GMoU to the letter, we applaud the leadership provided by the Public Government and Public Affairs team at Chevron in fostering the development of our area.
“To my peace loving communities, I promise to work with this newly inaugurated group to attract all forms of development to our communities. Your support to me and the GMoU process is my only source of strength,” Amamogiran said.
