The Community Development Advocacy Foundation, CODAF, a nongovernmental organisation, has underscored the importance of contract transparency in oil and gas sector engagement with communities to enhance sustainable benefits.

CODAF posited this at a town hall meeting, held at Ozoro, Isoko South Local Government Area of Delta State with the theme: ‘Addressing Community’s Grievances on the Cost of Corruption in Oil and Gas Sector In Isoko Area of Delta State’ .

Speaking during the meeting organized by CODAF and powered by budgiT,
Chairman of Isoko North Local Government Area, Mr. Godwin Ogorugba
commended CODAF, for bringing awareness to oil producing communities on how to relate with oil companies in their domain.

Ogorugba, represented at the meeting by his Vice Chairman, Mrs Evelyn Aluta said, “This advocacy is in the right direction because as at today, corruption has eaten deep into the fabrics of our lives. Even in the market place, corruption is there because sellers want to make extra gain.

“Because of corruption, there is social downturn. In the oil and gas industry, look at what is happening to us, the corruption there something else but the question we would ask ourselves is who is going to kill it from the grassroot and do the right thing? It behoves on me and you, that is why this advocacy is in the right direction.

One of the facilitators of programs, Mr Fred Nowho, noted that 1969 to 2021, was an era where the petroleum sector was not properly governed.

He said: “the Petroleum Industry Act, PIA came in 2021, set a different standard for oil companies that are into exploration and exploitation of crude oil and other minerals to put the communities in a good stead.

“The intention is to actually sensitize communities on what they need to know and how to be able to hold companies responsible for breaches or their non compliance with the rules.

“But I came to know that most of the community leaders do not know what is contained in the PIA other than the section that talked about the community trust development.

“And you cannot speak on community trust development if they don’t know the agreement between the company and federal governments.

Also, Ayo Nerfertiti who spoke on how community can ward off corrupt practices in the oil and gas sector, urged community leaders to be proactive and bold to come out clean if we must stop it “as it behove on them to hold oil companies operating in their various communities responsible for any breaches.

“They should avoid short cut in order to bring the necessary development the community needs.

On her part, Dr Mrs Okiemute Edewor from the department of Geography and Sustainability in Delta State University, Abraka also commended CODAF for organizing the event.

“From what we have learned today we are not interested in the peanuts the oil companies are giving to us but they should do their bid.

“My message to the communities is, enough of kick backs and peanuts, let us be united to fight this common fight for us to get a sustainable environment and the oil companies to live up to their responsibilities”, Edewor said.

Responding on behalf of the communities, Vice Chairman of Ellu, Prince Asesa Jerry, said, “this program has opened our eyes to unearth some of the things we don’t know before now.

“The program taught us how to approach oil companies as there are laws that back us in anything we do and I appreciate CODAF and the facilitators for bringing this closer home.”