Ghana’s National Oil Company (GNPC) has convened a stakeholder meeting aimed at fostering transparency and collaboration regarding the ongoing Saltpond Field Decommissioning Project (SFDP) in the Central Region.
The corporation’s officials from the Social Performance, Local Content, CSR and Engineering departments, met with paramount chiefs, queen mothers, fisherfolk, canoe owners, the Ghana Police Service and other key stakeholders from the greater Mfantsiman area to provide update on project progress, new timelines, and safety measures while soliciting input and addressing community concerns.
Making a presentation to the gathering on the status of the project, Richard Asmah, Petroleum Engineer at the GNPC, said while the Corporation has completed many milestones, there is still work to be done to ensure its successful completion.
This, he added, requires all stakeholders to continue to uphold the regulations guiding, particularly, fishing activities around the project’s 500-metre exclusive zone to ensure that technical and safety requirements are not compromised on.
Madam Patience Lucinda Azuntaba, on behalf of the Social Performance, Local Content CSR team, re-affirmed GNPC’s unwavering position to continue to partner its host communities for development.
She highlighted several areas of GNPC’s investments in health and education among others and emphasised the importance of the community’s role in the success of the project, stating, “We are all about inclusive decision-making and recognise the significance of involving all stakeholders in our projects to ensure success and sustainability.”
Commending GNPC’s commitment to dialogue and transparency, Okogyeman Okese Essandoh IX, Omanhene of Nkuskum Traditional Area, remarked, “We appreciate GNPC’s sustained engagements with us.
This level of collaboration strengthens our partnership and fosters mutual trust.”
Calling for more development for the communities, he further, and on behalf of all the traditional leaders representing Saltpond, Kuntu, Nankesido, Biriwa, Anomabo, Kormantsir, Hini, Pebi, Egya, Ankaful and Yamoransa, pledged Mfantsiman’s support to help purge the communities of the few recalcitrant fishermen who are willfully flouting safety measures and, thus, exposing life and properties to danger while stifling smooth decommissioning operations.
On his part, however, the Mankessim Divisional Police Commander, ACP Dennis Fiakpui, reminded all stakeholders to adhere to the regulations set out to ensure the successful decommissioning of the project.
“While we understand the call to temper justice with mercy, that’s the duty of the court. Ours is to ensure that lives are safeguarded so we will keep upholding the law so no one person’s recalcitrance affects the entire community,” he stressed.
A Chief fisherman from Abandze, Nana Kwasi Essel V, expressed the importance of safety measures in protecting livelihoods and the environment, saying, “Our livelihoods depend on the sea, and it’s reassuring to know that GNPC continues to communicate steps to ensure the safety of all not only during this decommissioning process but in the aftermath, as well with the planned installation of a marker buoy to aid navigation.”
Dominic Ponu, Deputy Manager of Wells Engineering at GNPC, reiterated the Corporation’s dedication to safety and environmental stewardship and assured them of its full attention to the concerns raised by the community.
The meeting concluded with a consensus on the need for continued dialogue and collaboration throughout the project’s lifecycle.
Source:https://energynewsafrica.com