Oil communities in the Assa North cluster of Imo State have called on the Anoh Gas Processing Company (AGPC) to accelerate the completion of the Assa – Ohoba – Obosima rural road, which has been left unfinished. The spokesperson for the cluster, Mr. Duke-Bright Enyia, issued this call in a statement made available to the press in Owerri on Monday.
The Assa North cluster comprises the communities of Assa, Obile, Ochia, Awarra, Ohoba, and Obosima. Enyia noted that despite having entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with AGPC since its establishment in the area four years ago, the company has not fulfilled its commitment to complete the road construction project that commenced in 2019.
Enyia emphasized the significance of the road as the primary link for the communities to Owerri, the state capital. He urged AGPC to consider transferring the construction contract to another firm, citing the failure of the current handlers to execute the project effectively. He pointed out the detrimental impact of heavy construction trucks on the road, damaging the communities’ main route to neighboring areas and Owerri.
Furthermore, Enyia highlighted the deprivation of benefits outlined in local content policies and the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), such as access to electricity, quality healthcare, and adequate infrastructure. He expressed concern about the environmental pollution caused by AGPC, adversely affecting farmlands and impeding farmers’ ability to support their families due to the compromised land for farming.
Enyia decried the discriminatory employment practices, alleging that job opportunities meant for locals were instead awarded to fictitious individuals unknown to the community, which contradicts the terms of the MoU and the provisions of the PIA. He urged AGPC to honor its agreements with the host communities, restore local content jobs and contracts to the communities, and empower the youth as part of the company’s corporate social responsibility.
In response to these allegations, AGPC’s Project Management Officer, Mr. Obinna Madumere at first declined to comment, but later assured that the company would address the issues accordingly.
