CRHA SET TO INVESTIGATE OIL COMPANY

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The Cross River State House of Assembly has set up a special Committee to investigate the activities of Sterling Oil Company which operates a quarry in Akamkpa Local Government Area and also engages in haulage of granite NEGROIDHAVEN has confirmed.

The House mandated the Special Committee to invite the company to offer public explanation on it’s haulage activities which according to them is not in the interest of the indigenes as it negates the Local Content Law.

These resolutions where adopted following a matter of Urgent Public interest brought before the House by the Deputy Speaker ,Rt. Hon. Joseph Bassey (Calabar South 2).

Bassey noted that the Oil Company was meant to solely operate a quarry but that it was also carrying out haulage of granite with a fleet of over 200 trucks adding that this has led to protests by indigenous truck operators and the youths.

He requested that the House investigate the matter and ensure that the company is made to operate within acceptable limits to avoid violence.

Other Members, in their contributions, emphasize that the Company should respect Local Content Law, add value to the indegens rather than infringing on their means of survival.

Members also stated that the Company should not make profit at the detriment of the indigenes by intruding into their means of livelihood.

The Speaker Rt. Hon. Eteng Jonah Williams, while constituting the Special Committee charged them to be unbiased and to report back in two weeks.

The Committee has the House Majority Leader, Rt. Hon. Peter Odey as Chairman while Deputy Majority Leader Rt. Hon. Hillary Bisong, The Whip Rt. Hon. Okon Ephraim, and the Deputy Whip Rt. Hon. Regina Anyogo to serve as Members.

Other Members of the Committee are the Minority Leader Rt. Hon. Fred Osim, Deputy Minority Leader Rt. Hon. Itam Abang, Rt. Hon. Nelson Ofem, Rt. Hon. Matthew Olory, Hon. Francis over and Rt. Hon. Ekpe Charles Okon.