August 02, (THEWILL) — The Chairman of the Community Development Committee (CDC) of Elebele Community in the Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State has charged the management of an oil firm, Renaissance Africa Energy Nigeria Ltd, to up its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) with its host Communities.
He gave the charge while speaking with newsmen on Friday during a fact-finding tour to select host communities of the firm.
Okala, who doubles as the Action Committee Chairman for the Restoration of Electricity to host communities of the Kolo Creek oil field, described the firm as an old wine in a new bottle, saying the firm is dealing with the communities using the same principles and modus operandi as the SPDC.
He alleged that the firm was not putting in enough effort towards reciprocating the kind gestures extended to her by the 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 the communities of the Kolo Creek oil field. To 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 overreacting and impatience.
“I don’t want to conclude that we’re not in a good relationship with Renaissance, but the truth is that almost all the communities where Renaissance is operating that I know are complaining of a poor relationship with this firm.”
Amos Okioma is a Correspondent at THEWILL
