Nembe communities of Nembe Local Government Area of Bayelsa on Sunday rejected an offer of a goat and 10 bags of rice made to the elders and people of the area by the management of the Nigerian Agip Oil Company (NOAC).

The Christmas gift to the host communities of Nembe Kingdom was reportedly turned down by the people the Oil and Gas Committee headed by Chief Nengi James.

The people of Nembe Kingdom were irked because the gift items of a goat and 10 bags of rice were to be shared by the people of the communities and fishing settlements subjects of former Minster of Power and the Amanayabo of Nembe Kingdom, King Edmund Dakoru.

In a statement issued on Sunday and made available to newsmen in Yenagoa, Chief Nengi James described the gift as “a corporate embarrassment to the traditional institution and the good people of Nembe Kingdom.”

He recalled that at a meeting with the General Manager District of the company when he visited the King Dakoru alongside his management team issues of corporate social responsibilities were addressed.

James noted that for Agip to give ten bags of rice and one goat to a community of about 500,000 people is a clear demonstration of the crass insensitivity of the multinational company to the community which is a major hub of Agip’s operations.

James stressed that the people of Nembe are a contented people who will never be cowed by any Greek gift that will cause disaffection among the people of the area.

According to him, Nembe Kingdom is in dire need of development and employment for the teeming unemployed youths alongside environmental protection.

He warned that if this issue is not properly handled, it could affect the harmonious relationship and peaceful coexistence between the company and the community.

When contacted, Community Relations Manager of Agip, Mr. Onyeaghaa Dan, kept sealed lips on the development, refusing to respond to text message seeking Agip’s reaction.

Update news