The Community Development Committee (CDC), Chairman of Elebele Community in Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, Chief Precious Okala has accused the Renaissance Africa Energy Nigeria Limited of being insensitive to the welfare of its host communities.
Okala, who spoke to newsmen on Saturday during a fact finding tour to some host communities urged the oil firm to review upwards its corporate social responsibility with its host communities.
The community leader who is also the action committee chairman on the restoration of electricity to host communities of the Kolo Creek oil fields operated by Renaissance Energy, described the firm as an old wine in a new bottle.
He said the firm is dealing with the communities with the same principles and modus operandi like the defunct Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC).
It will be recalled that Renaissance Energy, a consortium of indigenous firms in March acquired the onshore and shallow waters assets hitherto operated by Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria (SPDC) in the Niger Delta.
The CDC chairman alleged that Renaissance Energy was not putting enough efforts towards reciprocating the kind gestures extended to it by host communities of the area.
He said that Renaissance Energy has not responded responsibly to the yearnings of the communities after a series of meetings they have had upon taking over the onshore assets of the SPDC.
He said: “Renaissance Energy has stuck to the same style and patterns the SPDC used in their dealings with communities of the Kolo Creek oil field.
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“Till date we’ve not seen any meaningful engagement with this firm as host communities.
“We can describe Renaissance as an old wine in a new bottle, because it’s the same management and same staff that were with the SPDC that are still with Renaissance Energy.
“They had meetings with us and even as we speak we’ve not seen them implementing any of the decisions reached collectively.
“However, because the name is new in this area, we’re patiently giving them some time so that we won’t be accused of over reacting and impatience.
“I don’t want to conclude that we’re not in good relationship with Renaissance Energy, but the truth is that almost all the communities where Renaissance Energy is operating that I know are complaining of poor relationship with this firm”.
