Jimitota Onoyume
11 April 2012, Sweetcrude, PORT HARCOURT – RIVERS State government has been urged to set up Rivers State Oil Mineral Producing Area Development Commission (RISOPADEC) like its counterparts in the Niger Delta region.
In a statement made available to newsmen, Chairman, Rivers State chapter of Host Communities of Nigeria Producing Oil and Gas (HOSTCOM, Mr Appolos Amadi, said there was need for the state government to emulate Delta, Edo, Ondo, Abia and Imo states where they have similar bodies.
Amadi explained that if established, the commission would cater for problems affecting oil and gas communities in the state.
The statement further urged the State House of Assembly to enact a bill establishing the Commission, as it was important for it to be backed law.
“We appeal to the government of Rivers State and the State House of Assembly to enact a law that will establish RISOPADEC as is obtainable in other Niger Delta region,” the group stated.
The group also appealed to the Federal Government to release money due to affected communities from gas flaring, adding that payment was dragging too long.
The statement which expressed fears that further delay could generate tension in the region also called for an end to gas flaring in the Niger Delta.
