Lagos — Bayelsa State Acting Governor, Mr. Werinipre Seibarugu has urged oil companies operating in the state to show more commitment towards their social responsibility in their host communities.

Mr. Seibarugu stated this during a meeting he held with representatives of Shell Petroleum Development Company, SPDC and Obunagha community and other stakeholders to address issues affecting them in Yenagoa.

The Acting Governor advised SPDC to incorporate in its Global Memorandum of Understanding, GMOU, standard projects meant for their host communities rather than providing social amenities that are non-functional.

The gesture, he said would go a long way towards eliminating areas of conflict between SPDC and host Communities.

While stating that certain projects contained in the GMOU were unacceptable, Mr. Seibarugu urged SPDC to demonstrate more commitment in the provision of social amenities.

The acting governor also advised the people of Obunagha, the community hosting the Gbarain/Ubie Gas Gathering plant not to take laws into their hands in the resolution of conflicts.

He noted that conflict was inevitable as it was part and parcel of human existence and advised Obunagha community to use constitutional means in resolving issues at all times.

Mr. Seibarugu further called on the people of Obunagha community to respect government's intervention in the matter between it and SPDC as the problem was not only that of the community but a collective one.

The Acting Governor thanked all the people, especially the Commissioner for Youths, Conflict Resolution and Employment Generation and secretary of the Ijaw Youth Council for their efforts at resolving the issues.

The Ibenanaowei of Gbarain Kingdom, King Gabriel Funpere Akah in his contribution lauded the efforts of the Acting Governor for the peace initiative between Obunagha community and SPDC.

He said collective efforts by the government and other stakeholders have helped broker peace in the area, stating that SPDC has since resumed operations in the community.

Chief Funpere Akah appealed to SPDC to always honour memoranda of understanding and to carry the community along in its operations in order to avoid mis-understanding between them.

The Ibenanaowei who apologized on behalf of his people, promised to work harmoniously with the oil company and to maintain law and order in Obunagha Kingdom.

Speaking earlier, the SPDC, project manager, Mr. Okey Elechi thanked the acting Governor for his efforts at resolving the matter.

He said the peace agreement reached has led to the re-opening of the site for work to continue, stressing the company"s readiness to work with the host community to avoid conflict.