By P. K Yankey
Nkroful (W/R), Jan. 10, GNA – The Nzema Youth Parliament have appealed to President John Dramani Mahama, to appoint a native of Nzema as the new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Ghana National Gas Company (GNGC).
The group noted that appointing a son or daughter from the area to man the Gas Company, would be a blessing more than a curse to the people of Nzema.
Mr Jonas Kabutey, the Speaker of the Nzema Youth Parliament at the Nzema-East Municipal Assembly, made the appeal in an interview with the Ghana News Agency at Nkroful in the Ellembelle District of the Western Region.
He said the appointment of an indigene from Nzema to exercise an oversight responsibility over gas exploration, would give cognizance to the Local Content Policy (LCP).
Mr Kabutey said only a handful of indigenes within the oil and gas enclave were employed in its operations, with a chunk of employees coming from abroad.
That, the Speaker noted, would allow people within the oil and gas enclave to take advantage and get employment.
Mr Kabutey said though Ghana Gas was a national asset, it needed someone who would ensure that people within the enclave were not made worse off.
He explained that most of their livelihoods had been taken away by activities of the oil found in the sea and on land.
Mr Kabutey said environmental hazards emanating from oil and gas activities also stirred in the faces of the people.
He called on President Mahama to heed to the petition of traditional rulers in the Nzema area by endorsing the recommendation of certain distinguished individuals from the area to man operations at the Ghana National Gas Company at Atuabo.
He said this would ensure peace and harmony at Ghana Gas and avoid any disturbances by youth groups in the area
GNA