BY Samuel Oyadongha

Yenagoa— Bayelsa State chapter of Host Communities of Nigeria Producing Oil and Gas, HOSTCOM, yesterday, described the oil-producing communities in the state as worse off in the Niger Delta with noticeable high crime due to neglect and endemic poverty.

Speaking at the fourth annual HOSTCOM workshop in Yenagoa, Chairman of Bayelsa State chapter, Dr. B. O. B. Nabena, called for the establishment of a special commission to cater for the developmental needs of the oil and gas producing communities in the state.

He warned that the continued neglect of the communities was capable of encouraging criminality, which the government could hardly contain.

Nabena said: “The oil producing communities in Bayelsa State are the worst in the Niger Delta lacking basic infrastructure.

“Youth unemployment is very high, women are helpless, health problems are unprecedented and crime is on the increase as result of neglect and lack of human capacity development.

“Development of host communities required a systematic approach,” Nabena added.