Committee on Oil and Gas in Anambra State led by the former Special Adviser to President Yar’Adua on Petroleum, Dr. Emmanuel Egbogah, has called on communities in the state with mineral deposits to cooperate with the state government for the development of the natural resources.

The call was made at Akili-Ogidi, Ogbaru local government area of Anambra State when the committee set up by the state Governor, Willie Obiano visited the community following a memo sent to the state government on issues relating to the development of oil and gas in the area.

In interactive session with the community leaders, the leader of the committee, Egbogah spoke on measures to prevent hostilities arising from the discovery of mineral resources in the area.

He urged the people of Akili-Ogidi to cooperate with the state government for exploration of the mineral resource in the area saying that the success of the exercise will go a long in impacting positively on the community and the economy of the state at large.

On her part, the Senior Special Assistant to Governor Willie Obiano on oil and gas, Hon Ngozi Okoye, who was among the committee, expressed delight that no civil unrest had erupted in the area over the discovery, as in the case of Aguleri-Otu and Kogi people.

She enjoined the community to strive to sustain the peace so far experienced in the area, adding that the state government under Governor Willie Obiano is interested in developing mineral resources in the state.

Commending the state government’s interest in developing the mineral resources in the area, the President-General of the community, Mr. Francis Adigwe, expressed hope that the state government will be fully involved in oil and gas exploration in the area for the benefit of the community and the state in general.

He appealed to the State Government to look into the infrastructural challenges facing the community, which include access road while pledging their unalloyed support to the Obiano administration which he described as people-oriented.

•Photo shows Dr. Egbogah.