Chief Precious Okala, the Community Development Committee (CDC), Chairman of Elebele Community in Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa has urged the management of Renaissance Africa Energy Nigeria Ltd to review upwards its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) with its host communities.
The community leader gave the charge on Saturdays while speaking with newsmen during a fact-finding tour to some host communities of the firm.
Chief 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.
Chief Okala said that 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.
Okala also noted 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.
His words: “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 have 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”, he said.
Okala further stressed, “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”, he added.
NAN
