President of the Senate, Senator David Mark, has told oil and gas prospecting companies operating in Nigeria to take adequate measure that would provide and cater for their host communities to avoid confrontation.
Senator Mark noted that crisis always arise between host communities and oil and gas companies when the communities felt neglected.
Speaking when he played host to the new management of the Nigeria Liquidified Natural Gas (NLNG) in Abuja yesterday, Senator Mark said companies would operate smoothly and unhindered if a good relationship exists between them and their host communities.
According to Mark, “I strongly advise that you don’t neglect your host communities, most companies operate at the great expense of their host communities. You must work out a programme of action to accommodate and carry them along. Mark stated.
The Senate President also canvassed the need for oil prospecting companies to develop the gas sector like its Petroleum counterpart so that “we can end gas flaring and increase earnings from the sector.
“I think not much attention is given to the gas sector, if we develop the gas sector, I am sure we can even earn more revenue rather than this unabating flaring.”
Senator Mark reminded the oil prospecting companies of the need to abide by the local content laws so that Nigerians can further benefit from the sector.
Earlier, the new Managing Director of NLNG, Babs Omotowa said the company operates in cognizance with the local content law pointing out that NLNG currently owns 13 ship and has trained over 5, 000 Nigerians in the sector
Besides, Omotowa also stated that NLNG maintains an excellent relationship with its Bonny, Rivers State host community adding that part of its social responsibility to the host communities, is the provision of a 24 hour electricity as well as pipe borne water to them
….Urges Surveyors to check quacks to stop collapse of buildings
President of the Senate, Senator David Mark, has challenged the Nigeria Institute of Estate Surveyors and Valuers (NIESV) to exhibit high sense of professionalism and eliminate quacks causing the incessant incidents of collapse buildings.
Senator Mark said in Abuja when the executive members of the Nigeria Institute of Estate Surveyors and Valuers, (NIESV) visited him that incidents of collapse building necessitated by quacks have reached an alarming proportion.
He told the Surveyors and Valuers to apply international best practices in the construction and management of properties to avoid the ugly incident of collapse building.
According to Mark, “You must apply professionalism, beautification and economic dimensions to your jobs, so that you can help to truly transform Nigeria.”
Earlier, the President of the NIESV, Mr. Bode Adediji distanced the Institute from the activities of quacks, saying “we are professionally minded.”
Adediji said the Institute will hold its 42nd Annual Conference tagged “Transformation of Nigerian Environment” on March 24, 2012 in Abuja to drive home the point of professionalism in order to enhance transformation.
