We’ll modify oil coys, host communities GMOUs for sustainable devt – Ukodhiko

By Ajiri-Oghene Oreh

Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) House of Representatives Candidate for Isoko Federal Constituency, Pst. Jonathan Jonathan Ajirioghene Ukodhiko has assured Global Memorandum of Understanding (GMoU) between Isoko oil host communities and various oil companies would be modified in order to engender peace and development.

Ukodhiko gave the assurance on Tuesday at his country home at Erawha-Owhe in Isoko North Local Government Area when the Executive Members of the Otor-Owhe Community Development Union (OCDC) led by the president General, Engr Wilfred Atunu visited him.

According to him, “oil companies can’t operate in oil communities in Isoko land and still treat the people of the host communities as second class citizens.

“Programmes and projects of companies operating in Isoko nation should be of value to the lives of the people and positively transform the oil host communities not contracts of renovations of few classrooms blocks that are supposed to be done by government.

“As someone who is going into the House of Representatives, i will come up with good policies that will improve the people’s lives. I want to assure you that i will look into all GMOUs in order to address all shortcomings and foster peace and development in our oil bearing communities in Isoko,“

The former Delta Energy Commissioner, Engr Ukodhiko promised cordial relationship and collaborative efforts with the leadership of communities in bringing development to Isoko nation.

He stated, “I hate division. What inspired me to join the House of Representatives race was to unify Isoko for development. And for me, to bring Isoko nation together is to strengthen our traditional and cultural institutions, the Isoko Development Union (IDU) and the various community unions.

“We need to economically empower our Isoko people. We need to work together in unity to move Isoko forward. Now is the time to fight for the empowerment of our people and development of our communities in Isoko,“ he said.

Ukodhiko commended the president-general of Otor-Owhe Community, Engr Atunu for maturity in handling the community affairs, and the people of the community for being accommodating and supportive to his House of Representatives aspiration.

“My friend and PG of Otor-Owhe community, Engr Atunu has the capacity to bring peace to the community, and when elected, I will work with him to make sure there is peace and development in the community,” Ukodhiko stated.

Earlier in his speech, Engr. Atunu, thanked Ukodhiko for the support and commitment to the peace and development of the community.

He assured, “the people of Otor-Owhe are in support of you to win landslide and have a resounding victory at the polls in 2023. Don’t be bothered about the discerning voices as we are firmly behind you in the election,“ Atunu said.