The President of the Western Regional House of Chiefs, Ogyeahoho Yaw Gyebi II, has criticized oil companies operating in the Western Region for airlifting their staff from Accra to their operational sites in the region on regular basis.<\/p>\n
This practice, according to him, deprives communities hosting the oil companies of the expected development or benefits from the company’s presence in the area.<\/p>\n
[contextly_sidebar id=”srNXZ8RuuqIWatRmmLIupI64b3p7ALmy”]Speaking at an annual general meeting to brief the Western Regional House of Chiefs on the operations of the oil companies, organized by the Petroleum Commission in Takoradi, Ogyeahoho Gyebi II, who is also the Chairman of GNPC Foundation, noted that some other mining companies left some examples in this respect that needs to be considered by the oil companies.<\/p>\n
He explained that \u201cin Bibiani for example, when Anglo Gold came, we insisted that they should open a basic school for the children of\u00a0 their workers.”<\/p>\n
“The idea was that they were going to provide enough resources for that basic school which was going to benefit staff children and those of the communities. We insisted and they did it. The effect is that, now we have basic schools in the area which are competing with schools set up by Anglo Gold. These schools are producing first class students for medicine, for engineering, for mathematics and others in our universities.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBut unfortunately, in the Ahanta and Nzema Areas, you have your staff in Accra, and they are airlifted on daily basis. So how are our communities going to benefit from your operations,” Ogyeahoho queried.<\/p>\n
He cited instances where some mining companies are already showing leadership in this regard when he referenced what pertains at Chirano Gold Mines in the Western Region.<\/p>\n
He said, \u201cin Chirano [Gold Mines], they put up buildings which are housing their wives and children. The workers know what is good for their children, and so they have the basic schools. Today, we are all enjoying the facilities there\u201d.<\/p>\n
He concluded that \u201cIt is our expectation that we give them land to put up residential accommodation for their staff. Once they get it, the local economy will be boosted because they will buy, which will in a way help to retain some of the revenues here.”<\/p>\n
–<\/p>\n
By: Obrempong Yaw Ampofo\/citifmonline.com\/Ghana<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
The President of the Western Regional House of Chiefs, Ogyeahoho Yaw Gyebi II, has criticized oil companies operating in the Western Region for airlifting their staff from Accra to their operational sites in the region on regular basis. This practice, according to him, deprives communities hosting the oil companies of the expected development or benefits […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":14,"featured_media":383657,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[5],"tags":[5592,587,10304],"yoast_head":"\n