The Host Communities of Nigeria (HOSCON) – Producing Oil & Gas, on Monday inaugurated the Lagos State chapter executives to champion the fight for total inclusion of the state as oil producing state.
The National Chairman, HOSCON, Dr Mike Emuh said the establishment of the body was necessitated by continuing negligence of the host communities by the government.
According to the national chairman, the establishment will also agitate for the rights and privileges to be enjoyed by the communities.
“HOSCON (Producing Oil & Gas) is the umbrella organisation representing the interest of all oil and gas producing communities and states in Nigeria.
“Lagos State has been recognised as an oil and gas producing state with two oil blocks.
“We need to have state executives that will drive the fight to ensure the host communities enjoy their benefits.
“I want you to know that the Presidency, NNPC, NDDC and other relevant Ministry, Department and Agencies (MDAs) are aware that we are here today to inaugurate the state executives, so, I want to congratulate you all,” he said.
Emuh said that the agitation for rights by host communities of oil and gas was necessary as the new state executives would push for all the rights and entitlements from government and oil producing company.
“The formation of HOSCON is our strategic response to finding a lasting solution to the cruxes that emerge from the oil producing communities.
“It is necessary to state that HOSCON is the grassroots body that relates at the community level with the Federal Government and MDAs,” he said.
The chairman said that some of the demands of HOSCON from Federal Government include approval of 10 modular refineries for host communities, payment of gas flare penalty levy of oil and gas companies.
“Others include upward review and payment of 13 per cent oil derivation directly to oil and gas communities, pipeline surveillance contract to be awarded to HOSCON and allocation of oil block to traditional rulers.
“I therefore charge the newly inaugurated executives to be proactive and responsive to the responsibility given to them with the aim of driving for the total inclusion for the betterment of lives in Badagry and Lagos State as a whole,” he said.
Also speaking at the event, the Chairman Board of Trustees, HOSCON, King Alfred Diete-Spiff, representing all traditional rulers of host communities said the inauguration was a giant step towards growth and development of the state.
“I want to appreciate the Badagry Kingdom for hosting us, particularly the gallery of traditional rulers present here.
“Today is a very wonderful day and like I always say, if we do not fight for what rightfully belong to us, it will be difficult for another person to fight for us,” he said.
The Akran of Badagry, the Aholu Menu Toyi 1, urged the new executives to work with enthusiasm to ensure growth and development was achieved in the town.
Akran said that there was need to inquire from the state to ascertain whether the 13 per cent derivation was paid by Federal Government or not.
Mr Babatunde Hunpe, member, representing Badagry Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, urged the executives not to disappoint those that recommended them.
He urged them to be good ambassador and to relate with national body in good character.
The former lawmaker in the House of Representatives from 2015 to 2019, Mr Joseph Bamgbose enjoined the executives to work as one family.
Responding, the newly inaugurated Chairman HOSCON, Lagos State Chapter, Dr Bisiriyu Lasisi promised that the executives would work in unity to ensure the agitations of host communities were actualised.
Lasisi noted that the executive was ready to work with the support of the traditional rulers across the region and other relevant stakeholders to ensure Badagry development plan was achieved.
Edited By: Dorcas Jonah/Grace Yussuf
Source: NAN
