N/Delta: Bayelsa Community Leader wants Renaissance to improve CSR

BY SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT

Chief Precious Okala, the Community Development Committee (CDC), Chairman of Elebele Community in Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa has charged the management of an oil firm, Renaissance Africa Energy Nigeria Ltd to review upwards its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) with its host communities.

The community leader gave the charge at the while speaking with newsmen during a fact-finding tour to some host communities of the firm.

Okala who is also the Action Committee Chairman on the Restoration of Electricity to host communities of the Kolo Creek oil fields operated by Renaissance described the firm as an old wine in a new bottle, saying the firm is dealing with the communities with the same principles and modus operandi like the defunct Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC).

It will be recalled that Renaissance, a consortium of indigenous firms in March acquired the onshore and shallow waters assets hitherto operated by Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria (SPDC) in the Niger Delta.

He alleged that the firm was not putting enough efforts towards reciprocating the kind gestures extended to it by host communities of the area, saying that Renaissance has not responded responsibly to the yearnings of the communities after a series of meetings they have had upon taking over the onshore assets of the SPDC.

He said: “Renaissance has stuck to the same style and patterns the SPDC used in their dealings with communities of the Kolo Creek oil field. Till date we’ve not seen any meaningful engagement with this firm as host communities.

“We can describe Renaissance as an old wine in a new bottle, because it’s the same management and same staff that were with the SPDC that are still with Renaissance. They had meetings with us and even as we speak we’ve not seen them implementing any of the decisions reached collectively.

“However, because the name is new in this area we’re patiently giving them some time so that we won’t be accused of over reacting and impatience.

“I don’t want to conclude that we’re not in good relationship with Renaissance, but the truth is that almost all the communities where Renaissance is operating that I know are complaining of poor relationship

with this firm”.

Editor

Jude Ossai (JP) a veteran journalist is a National Diploma holder in Mass Communication from Ogwashi-Uku Polytechnic Ogwashi-Uku, Delta State. He also studied at Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT) Enugu and Imo State University, Owerri for his first and second degrees in Mass Communication, respectively. He writes extensively on politics, crime, corruption, climate change, healthcare, human rights, social justice, among others.