Agency Seeks Closer Partnership with Multinationals in Bayelsa

Emmanuel Addeh in Yenagoa

The Bayelsa State Partnership Agency has vowed to ensure improved relationship between multinational companies operating in the state and their host communities.

During a visit to the management of Daewoo Construction Company (DCC), the leadership of BSPA particularly called on the company to work closely with government to resolve some of the challenges faced by the firm in its operations in the state.

The Director-General of the Agency, Mr Stanley Braboke Enaibagha who spoke with journalists after a visit to the State Project Manager of Daewoo in Yenagoa, Mr Nak Choi, said it was important for both parties to partner, since the company also contributes to the state.

Enaibagha, who also paid a visit to Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC), another multinational in the state, noted that since the present government came on board, the security situation had improved substantially.

He added that the agency had been mandated to build peace around operational areas occupied by oil multinationals as well as construction firms and act as a link with the various communities in the state.

“Our stand is zero tolerance to any impasse between oil bearing communities and oil multinationals. We emphasise peace as a vital ingredient for growth and development” the DG said.

The DG explained that the agency also appraises all complaints from communities, oil multinationals and construction companies with a view to acting on them appropriately.

Enaibagha said that the Bayelsa government had been investing in educating the youths to avert restiveness and militancy due to ignorance, noting that “engaged youths do not have time to engage in illegal activities in society”.

He urged the management of Daewoo to send a representative to the joint desk of the agency that will interface with the agency to nip issues before they escalate.