Oritsegbubemi Omatseyin
Lagos — The Nigerian National Petroleum Company, NNPC, has reiterated its commitment to work with host communities in the Niger Delta region towards lasting peace and economic prosperity.
Group CEO, Mallam Mele Kyari, disclosed this during a dialogue session with the Niger Delta communities held in partnership with the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Community Engagement (South-South), Hon. Gift Johnbull, at the Igurubia Square Ultra-Modern Town Hall in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.
The session was also part of the citizen assembly engagements, which is a side event of the forthcoming Climate of Parties (COP) 29 Conference taking place in Baku, Azerbaijan in November, this year.
Kyari, who was represented at the occasion by the Head Business Services of the NNPC Upstream Investment Management Services, NUIMS, Mr. Sani Kabo, said the engagement marked an important step in the journey to strengthen unity and promote development in the region through the Third Phase Amnesty Programme.
According to the GCEO, the NNPC is committed to sustained dialogue with traditional ex-agitators and youth leaders towards addressing local concerns and restoring trust across the nine Niger Delta states.
Kyari said the coming of the Petroleum Industry Act, PIA, has emplaced allocation of 3% of NNPC’s Operational Expenditures (OPEX) to community development, a development that will ensure projects reflect the communities’ priorities whilst investing in skills acquisition, community empowerment, and sustainable livelihood initiatives for the benefit of the various communities.
“Our mission is clear. We are committed to fostering lasting peace, creating economic opportunities and transforming the Niger Delta into a model of unity and progress. NNPC stands with the Niger Delta as it builds a prosperous future that is driven by mutual respect and collaboration,” Kyari concluded.
