AITEO reiterates commitment to the development of its host community
By Giwa Shile
At the early hours of today, a section of the Nembe Community, Bayelsa State converged, without prior notice, on and barricaded the entrance to Aiteo’s logistics base interrupting normal work operations and ignoring the intervention of the State security task force.
Aiteo spokeman, Mr Ndiana Matthew said that following protracted engagement with them, they agreed to disband, while leaving behind representatives to present their demands to the company.
It is instructive that this development is coinciding with the resumption of operations of the NCTL. These disturbances disrupt our operations and lead to production deferment which affects not just the company but revenues accruing to the government and people of Nigeria.
Aiteo reiterates her commitment to continue to work with her host communities to achieve amicable relationship. Moreover, the Nembe Community provides most of the supply, logistic and security contracts going into our local operations. Apart from encouraging community participation in this manner, the company has, in addition, continued to provide considerable amenities and services directly to the community in a most beneficial and impactful way. Hence, we remain open and are committed to constructive dialogue for the development of both the nation and the community.
It takes several layers of engagement to get key deliverables to the community as the asset is operated under a joint venture with NNPC therefore key decisions must be made upon due consultation with all stakeholders.
We appeal to our host communities, our partners in development, to patiently await the final outcome of ongoing processes initiated to implement sustainable development for all parties.
