Isaac Ombe, Yenagoa
A top management staff of the Nigerian Content Development Monitoring Board (NCDMB) has alleged that chiefs and traditional rulers in most oil producing host communities in the Niger Delta region sell out employment slots meant for members of their communities.
Mrs. Angela Okoro, who is the General Manager Corporate Communications and Zonal Coordinator, disclosed this at a programme organised for youths of oil producing host communities to mark this year’s 12th Practical Nigerian Content (PNC) 2023 Youth Forum in Yenagoa, on Tuesday.
She further alleged that the chiefs sold such opportunities to the highest bider.
Okoro, who was responding to a youth’s appeal to the leadership of the NCDMB to prevail on the International Oil Companies (IOCs) to consider employment for youths in host communities, saying that most qualified youths have not been considered even when some of them are qualified for employment.
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“Chiefs in host communities are selling employment opportunities. Employment opportunities are sold to the highest bider,”, noted Okoro in response to the youth’s question.
The youth also alleged that the Board was serving as a “Policeman of the OICs” has not been doing enough to check their inability to employ most youths.
She, however, appealed to host communities to ensure unity of purpose to avoid such incidents of selling employment slots .
Also responding to Okoro’s allegation, Dr. Patterson Ogon, Executive Assistant to Governor Douye Diri, noted that most IOCs deliberately created a divide-and-rule situation in the host communities which most times snowball into conflicts of unimaginable dimension.
Dr. Ogon who spoke on the theme: ‘Understanding our diversity as a tool for effective conflict management’ , said skills for conflict management in most cases included respect for differences, paying attention to the feelings of others, showing willingness to compromise and so forth.
Okoro continued, “NCDMB will monitor activities of oil companies through a form which they will fill ”
“The Board, through Wabote’s initiative, has drawn a ten year plan.
The local content policy, according to her, has drastically reduced capital flight out of the country from 50% to now 22%.
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“All the moneys hitherto going out of the country is now to be used to develop the country,” she added.
In his remarks, Dr. Daniel Igali, the Commissioner for Youths and Sports Development in the state, highlighted the state government’s efforts in the development of youths in the state .
According to him, “As a goverment, we have initiated youths programmes in various areas and goverment will continue to give youths proper attention for greater heights, he said.
He advised the youths to make use of the training programme initiated by the NCDMB.
“Make use of what you will learn here. These are the building blocks for your future,” added Igali who commended the NCDMB leadership for the programme and looked forward for more collaborative efforts .
Over 100 youths attended the programme.
