The Nzema Youth Parliament has appealed to President John Dramani Mahama, to appoint an indigene of Nzema as new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Ghana National Gas Company (GNGC).
The group said the appointment of an indigene of Nzema to exercise oversight responsibility of gas exploration in the area would give cognizance to the Local Content Policy (LCP).
Mr Jonas Kabutey, the Speaker of the Nzema Youth Parliament, in the Nzema-East Municipality, made the appeal in an interview with the Ghana News Agency, at Nkroful in the Ellembelle District of the Western Region.
He said that appointing an indigene of Nzema to manage the company, would be a blessing more than a curse to the people.
Mr Kabutey noted that only a few indigenes within the oil and gas enclave of the area were employed, with a chunk of employees coming from abroad.
He stressed that though Ghana Gas was a national asset, it needed someone who would ensure that people within the enclave were not made worse off.
Mr Kabutey said “this would allow people within the oil and gas enclave take advantage of opportunities and get employment.”
He said that exploitation of oil in the area (sea and land) had negatively affected the livelihoods and wellbeing of the people.
Mr Kabutey cited that gas emanating from oil and gas in the enclave posed health hazards to the people.
He called on President Mahama “to heed the petition by traditional rulers of Nzema, 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
