September 17, (THEWILL) – The Bayelsa State Government says it will engage host communities to ensure the effective implementation of the Host Community Development Trust.
The State Commissioner for Environment, Mr. Ebi Ololo, stated this in Yenagoa, the state capital, during a town hall meeting organised by the African Centre for Leadership, Strategy and Development, Kebetchache Women Development and Resource Centre and Mac-Jim Foundation to sensitise host communities on the implementation of the PIA.
Ololo stressed that the successful implementation of the PIA’s host communities’ provisions was crucial for sustainable development and enduring peace in the state.
“Over the coming weeks and months, the ministry will work out modalities to engage communities extensively to ensure the implementation plans of the Host Community Development Trust. Only through close collaboration can we ensure that the benefits reach the people who need them the most,” he said.
In a goodwill message, the Executive Director of Kebetchache Women Development and Resource Centre, Dr. Emem Okon, advocated that the host community development scheme should be implemented to benefit communities, particularly the women folk and also address pressing needs of the communities.
“The PIA and the host community development scheme should create opportunities for local communities to participate in the governance process and ensure they benefit from it. The most important benefit is improving the quality of life of community members,” Dr. Okon stated.
Speaking, the traditional ruler of Ebeble Community in Ogbia Local Government Area of the state, His Royal Highness, David Osene Osene, who commended the Federal Government for initiating the bill to develop and transform the host communities, however, called for transparency in the implementation of the Act to benefit the host communities.
Osene, who lamented that most communities are unaware of the provisions of the PIA, said, “It will make the people know the communities are carried along.”
One of the participants, Mrs. Esther Orubo from Otuabagi Community, lamented that the PIA did not capture the interest of the women, pointing out that the Act has rather deepened the suffering of Otuabagi women.
Amos Okioma is a Correspondent at THEWILL
