Rivers State government has intensified its anti-terrorism campaign in host communities of multinational corporations operating in the state.
It has therefore invited stakeholders from 12 local government areas in the state and host communities of multinational firms to a week-long sensitisation workshop on the firms� Global Memorandum of Understanding (GMoU).
The Commissioner for Chieftaincy and Community Affairs, Deacon Clapton Ogolo, said in Port Harcourt that the measure would not only check terrorism but would ensure that host communities take 100 per cent responsibility for development projects in their areas.
Ogolo stated that the GMoU was designed to make companies and other development partners in the state release funds for the projects while the communities decide on how to implement the project of their choice.
He added that the GMoU gives room to the Community Trust (CT) at the community level, the Community Development Boards (CDB) at the local government level and the State Sustainable Development Programme at the state level to take charge of development affairs.
“We are aware there are agencies that are prepared to contribute to the development of our communities but lack of credible development structures has been hindering that effort. That is why we want to sensitise our people about this new model,” he said.
Ogolo informed that the people of Kula, an oil and gas rich community in the state, are already benefiting from the GMoU