Chairman of Delta State Chapter of Host Communities in Nigeria (Producing Oil and Gas), Evangelist Gabriel Isibeluo and other EXCO Members
EFFURUN/Nigeria: The Chairman of Delta State Chapter of Host Communities in Nigeria (Producing Oil and Gas), HOSTCOM, Evangelist Gabriel Isibeluo, has debunked insinuations that Delta HOSTCOM is embroiled in internal crises being fueled by criticisms trailing the suspension of the Delta HOSTCOM Youth leader, Mr. Lawrence Oloku.
Evangelist Isibeluo made this known at a media briefing on Tuesday 7 May 2019, in Effurun, headquarters of Uvwie Local Government Area of Delta State, saying, “we do not have any dispute in HOSTCOM; there is no squabble at all.”
He added, “HOSTCOM is on track and making tremendous progress in pursuit of its developmental goals to enhance the wellbeing of the host communities.”
Isibeluo said that solid structures had been built over the years to drive sustainable infrastructure and economic development of the host communities, including building capacity in the teeming unemployed youths to catalyze economic development.
The Delta HOSTCOM boss charged all stakeholders to always uphold the tenets of discipline in their dealings and abhor any act inimical to the goals of HOSTCOM.
Reacting to the suspension of Mr. Lawrence Oloku, the Delta State HOSTCOM Youth leader, Evangelist Isibeluo said the decision was in harmony with the statutory laws of HOSTCOM, saying that Mr. Lawrence Oloku committed a grievous offence for which he had been penalised in line with the law.
His words: “Lawrence Oloku went berserk and pelted several insults at me at the Secretariat. He even went further to slap the Assistant Delta HOSTCOM Youth Leader with inconceivable impunity. It was a serious affront that would have earned him indefinite suspension, but the Isoko ethnic nationality where he (Lawrence Oloku) belongs deemed it wise to act fast by suspending him for six months, apparently to shield him from a heavier penalty from the state executive.”
He noted that HOSTCOM is a group of descent and respectful personalities who would not condone irrational behaviour from its members, stating that good conduct and high sense of discipline are cherished virtues among members of the group.
“We operate by the rules and regulations as spelt out in our constitution and any infraction of the laws attracts severe sanction,” he reiterated.
The Delta HOSTCOM boss expressed dismay at the recalcitrant posturing of the embattled HOSTCOM Youth Leader for not showing remorse.
“Instead of showing remorse for the wrong he had done, I am aware he wrote a letter to Isoko ethnic nationality demanding his reinstatement unconditionally, but the body felt really slighted and said ‘it is not done anywhere’ and they stood their ground to ensure his suspension is not commuted,” Evangelist Isibeluo remarked.
Continuing, he said that the hierarchical makeup of the executive arm of Delta HOSTCOM, as spelt out in the constitution, vested the highest authority in the office of the Chairman, even as he stated that other officers of the executive body take directives from the Chairman, saying that no office, including that of the HOSTCOM Youth leader, operates and takes decision independently.
Evangelist Isubeluo described the belligerent posturing of Mr. Lawrence Oloku as a condemnable development, saying “the contentious and unrepentant disposition of the HOSTCOM Youth leader is intolerable to the HOSTCOM family.
Speaking about the management of the resources and affairs of HOSTCOM, Evangelist Isibeluo said his administration runs on the principle of transparency and integrity, saying that tremendous progress had been made by his administration in recent times. He however, stated in clear terms that HOSTCOM is not money making group, noting that activities of HOSTCOM had been possible through goodwill of the state government.
He said, “I want to state with good sense of sincerity that HOSTCOM is not a money spinning group. We operate on the goodwill of government. Therefore, it is erroneous and unfounded for anyone to have the impression that government pays money to HOSTCOM.”
Reeling out the achievements of HOSTCOM over the years, Evangelist Isibeluo said that a storey building of six flats housing HOSTCOM Secretariat was one of the landmark achievements of the immediate past Chairman, Dr. Peter Egedegbe. He listed some of his (Evangelist Isibeluo) achievements to include furniture for the Secretariat, purchased computers for all the offices at the Secretariat, including 40KVA generator, ICT centre equipped with more than 35 computers, well furnished guest house, and installed air conditioners. He added that 8 appointments were secured for the youths – 2 Special Advisers to the Governor, and 6 Waterway Security Committee slots.”
The Delta HOSTCOM Chairman said that his administration was making good effort to attracting more employment for the teeming unemployed youths in the oil and gas producing communities when the new government of Governor Ifeanyi Okowa is constituted.
“We hope to get more youths gainfully employed when the new government of Governor Ifeanyi Okowa comes on stream,” he stated.
