Communities-Investors cooperation; Council Boss harps on strict adherence to CSR agreement

 ...saddened with the deplorable condition of Idu community market, promises total reconstruction within three-months

The Edo State Oil Palm Programme (ESOPP); An initiative of the State Government created to bring business opportunities to both large and small-scale investors in the oil palm sub-sector yesterday parleyed with Elders and youths of Idu community on the planned oil palm investment in the area.

Hon. (Don) Newman Oghomwen Ugiagbe; the Executive Chairman of Orhionmwon Local Government Council Chairman who accompanied the investors thanked the community for the warm reception accorded them and reaffirmed that the investment would bring prosperity to the area. The Council Boss assured them that the proposed area for the planned oil palm investment would not affect or diminish their farm land, stressing that the buffer zone would be more than sufficient for their farming seasons.

While highlighting the benefits of having such a huge investment in the area; The Council Boss however charged the Investor not to breach any agreement with the host community especially in the area of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). He said, "what is expected of both parties 'the Investors and the Host community' is to have a workable and enforceable Memorandum of Understanding.

On his part, the Ag. Team Lead, ESOPP IIO, Mr. Churchill Oboh admonished the Elders and youths of Idu community to take advantage and key into the industrialization drive of the State and Local Government like other communities in the Locality. He appealed to the people of Idu to see themselves as Partners in this laudable project that will be of great benefits to both indigenes and non indigenes of the area.

During the visit, the Council Boss had a brief stop over at Idu community market and was deeply saddened at the deplorable state of the market. He immediately directed the supervisor for works: Excellence Omoruyi to work out modalities to having the market reconstructed within the shortest possible time. He promised the traders and Idu people that the renovation work will be awarded and the contractor mobilized to site in few days with a three-month deliverable timeframe. He assured them that his administration would judiciously utilize the Council’s available resources for the benefits of Orhionmwon people.

Among those that accompanied the Executive Chairman on the visit include: The Supervisor for works: Excellence Omoruyi; Special Adviser to the Chairman: Comrade Jonathan Okunbor; Hon. Blessed Edughaen, Senior Special Assistance to the Governor: Hon. Hope Enogieru and the MD Saro Oil Palm Ltd: Dr. Tunde Faturonti.

Roy Osariemen

Chief Press Secretary

Orhionmwon Local Govt. Council