The Andoni Area Traditional Rulers Council in collaboration with the Andoni Local Government Council have reactivated the Andoni Host and Impacted Communities Bureau led by J. J. Simon Esq, as it’s Director General (DG).
Other Executive members of the Bureau are Hon Imie Benson as the Head of Administration and Executive Director of Operations; His Highness (Engr) Idan-Owaji Erasmus Ntegun Aja-Ekop (XIII) as Executive Director of Employment & Empowerment; Mr Emmanuel Samuel Agorkdeng as
the Executive Director of Marine and Blue Economy; Madam Faith Lovinah Ogolodom as
Executive Director of Women Affairs; Mr Owen Naphtali as Executive Director of Finance; Surv. Solomon Emmanuel Ngbowa as Executive Director of Research, Planning and ICT; Comrade Ogbonna Atimie as Executive Director of Youth Mobilization and Senior Comr Jonah Gogo Jumbo as the Executive Director of PIA, CSR and Projects Monitoring.
The mandate of the Bureau is to help coordinate and promote all Andoni Communities interests in the areas of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) and Cooperate Social Responsibility (CSR) and Projects Monitoring.
Speaking at the Reactivation ceremonies, the Chairman of the Andoni Area Traditional Rulers Council, HRM, King (Dr.) Aaron Miller Ikuru, who doubles as the Okaan Ama (Paramount Ruler) of Ikuru Town, appealed to all stakeholders and the Settlors to support the Executive Committee members of the Andoni Host and Impacted Communities Bureau to succeed in their given assignments.
“We recognize that the Bureau’s success depends on the collective efforts of all stakeholders, including the Settlors and Sub-Contractors operating within Andoni Local Government Area.
I urge us all to work together to ensure the smooth operation of the Bureau.
As traditional rulers, we have a sacred responsibility to protect the interests of our people. We must ensure that our communities provide friendly environment for investment to thrive and as well benefit from the oil and gas activities in our area. We must also ensure that our environment is protected and preserved for our future generations”.
The King further said that:
“The ANDONI HOST & IMPACTED COMMUNITIES BUREAU is a vital instrument in achieving these goals. Through the Bureau, we can engage with oil companies, government agencies and other stakeholders to project, promote and protect our rights”.
In his own remarks, the Executive Chairman of Andoni Local Government Council, Hon Lazarus Gogoteh Nteogwuile, who was the Chief host of the event expressed optimism that the activities of the Andoni Host and Impacted Communities Bureau would promote the local economy, enhance security, peace and progress capable of engendering the prosperity of the people.
“I applaud the efforts of my dear Traditional Rulers, Chiefs, Community Leaders, CDC Chairmen, the Youth bodies and all critical stakeholders, who have contributed in one way or the other towards the growth and development of Andoni Local Government Area.
As a people oriented government, we are committed to ensuring that Andoni continues to thrive and prosper in line with the visions and aspirations of His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Rivers State – Sir Siminalayi Fubara.
We will work tirelessly to provide essential services, promote economic growth and enhance the overall quality of life for our people.
We will also see that the settlors doing business in our area prioritizes Corporate Social Responsibility and ensure that their policies and programs benefits members of our communities.
*I wish to use this medium to draw the attention of ALL the Settlors and Sub-Contractors operating within our area to the reactivation of the Andoni Host and Impacted Communities Bureau*
*This Bureau has come to stay and it is hereby officially endorsed by the Authority of the Andoni Local Government Council, as the ONLY recognised body to coordinate ALL Oil and Gas related affairs in addendum to the various Host Communities Development Trusts in Andoni Local Government Area of Rivers State*
*As we equally endorse the MANDATE clearly and already donated to the Executive Committee of the Andoni Host and Impacted Communities Bureau, by the Andoni Area Traditional Rulers Council.
*May I use this opportunity to charge ALL the Settlors and Sub-Settlors operating in our area to work with the Andoni Host and Impacted Communities Bureau in the areas of PIA, local content laws, CSR, Employment and Empowerment Monitoring*
“Go And Progress”!
In his acceptance speech, the Director General of Andoni Host and Impacted Communities Bureau, J. J. Simon Esq, pledged the dedication of members of the Bureau to discharge their responsibilities with utmost commitment and integrity.
“Andoni is a land richly blessed in history, culture and natural resources.
However, we also face challenges that require collective resolve and innovative solutions. Our communities, as host to Oil and Gas operations, are uniquely positioned to benefit in the areas of massive employment, empowerment and sustainable development.
My vision as Director General is to foster a harmonious relationship between our communities and the Settlors and Sub-Settlors operating in our region. Together, we can create a secured, peaceful and friendly environment where business thrives, opportunities abound, and the well-being of our people are prioritized.
To achieve this; maximum collaboration and partnership rooted in mutual respect, transparency and shared goals MUST be employed.
To our esteemed Traditional Rulers, Chiefs, CDCs, Community Leaders and Youth Leaders across board, I urge us to unite in purpose. Let us set aside our differences and focus on what unites us, such as; OUR PEACE, OUR SECURITY and OUR PROGRESS as a nation.
To ALL the Settlors and Sub-Settlors operating within Andoni Local Government Area, we are happy to host you. We recognize your contributions to our local economy and growth. We hereby accept to work with you to ensuring a more secured, peaceful and friendly environment for your business to thrive and in return for mutual understanding that will lead to massive employment, empowerment and development of Andoni people”.
J. J. Simon further pointed out areas his administration would prioritize to include:
Open Dialogue and Engagement;
Establishing regular fora where all stakeholders can voice their concerns, share ideas and co-create solutions;
Sustainable Development Projects; Focusing on education, healthcare, infrastructure and job creation to empower our people and improve their quality of life;
Environmental Stewardship;
Accountability and Transparency;
Conflict Resolution and Mediation; and
Corporate Social Responsibility.
He also pledged to encourage the Settlors and Sub-Settlors to go beyond compliance and invest in meaningful community development and projects that align with our priorities of the communities.
Meanwhile, in line with its mandate, the Andoni Host and Impacted Communities Bureau have visited the Andoni coastal communities of Oyorokoto to Agbama along the IMO River among other communities, where a devastating Oil Spill occured on Friday 13 December, 2024.
The Oil Spill damaged the sources of livelihood of the people living and doing business in the coastal communities of Andoni.
A statement by the Head of Administration and Executive Director of Operations of the Andoni Host and Impacted Communities Bureau, Honorable Imie Benson indicates that on the 16th of December 2024, the leaderships of Andoni Host and Impacted Communities Bureau led by its Director General, Deacon J. J. Simon Esq, in conjunction with the Andoni Communities Development Committees (CDCs), the National Youth Council of Nigeria NYCN – Andoni LGA Chapter, the National Secretariat of the National Union of Andoni Students (NUAS) amongst other Key stakeholders, embarked on a fact-finding visit to the affected communities.
The fact-finding delegation noted that all Coastal communities of Andoni have been plagued by the Oil Spill, ravaged the environment, destroyed the livelihood of the people and plunged the communities into famine.
And, some farmers, fishermen and residents of the affected communities, who addressed the delegation from the Andoni Host and Impacted Communities Bureau, complained that the spill damaged the their fishing nets, boats and other equipment; rendered them unusable.
The residents also complained that the Spill contaminated the river and water ways, making it impossible for fishermen to engage in their daily livelihood, adding that since Friday 13 December, when the Spill occured, their means of survival have been negatively affected.
They further complained that the deafening silence and absence of the multinational, which facilities are responsible for the Spill is regrettable, painful, more devastating and worse than the negative impacts of the Oil Spill itself, just as they lamented that the Spill caused significant environmental damage, destruction of the mangroves, fish habitats and other marine lives.
The statement declared that the Andoni Host and Impacted Communities Bureau is now calling on the International Oil Company and Governments at all levels as well as the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency, NOSDRA led by Emeka Woke to quickly intervene to save the environment of Andoni LGA.
The Bureau is asking for the supply of immediate Relief Materials; including food, water and medicals to cushion the negative effects of the Spill.
They are equally demanding that a clean up exercise be carried out to restore the environment and the water ways as well as pay adequate compensation for all the affected Andoni Littoral communities to mitigate the loss of income and livelihood.
The Andoni Host and Impacted Communities Bureau said it has made itself available to work with all relevant government officials, stakeholder and the multinationals to develop long-term solutions that would prevent future occurrence.
