News:
December 15, 2010
As Ghana has officially become an oil producing nation today 15th December 2010, the Second Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Prof. Aaron Mike Ocquaye, has urged the media to constantly encourage the Jubilee Field partners to help develop towns surrounding the Jubilee fields as part of their corporate social responsibility.
According to Professor Mike Ocquaye who is also the Member of Parliament for Dome- Kwabenya, several towns rich in natural resources over the years, have been devastated by the activities of mining companies sometimes resulting in their sources of water being polluted.
The Jubilee partners are made up of Anadarko, E.O Group Ghana Ltd, GNPC, Kosmos Energy, Sabre Oil and Gas and Tullow Oil.
The Jubilee Field is estimated to hold 1.8 billion barrels of crude, but there have since been other discoveries which would boost the reserves significantly once appraisal works are completed.
Speaking to Adom FM at the Air force base where the celebration to mark the commencement of Ghana’s oil production was held, Prof. Mike Ocquaye stated that the trend where towns endowed with natural resources do not benefit from the resource but are rather adversely affected must be discouraged.
He cited towns such as Obuasi, Tarkwa and Akwatia which for several years have not benefited from the natural resources that they harbor.
“It is incumbent upon these huge multilateral companies who make big monies to help bring about development in such towns by helping them construct amenities such as school buildings, markets and clinics, as part of their corporate social responsibilities,” he said.
Story by :Kwadwo Anim/ghanamps.gov.gh