TECHNIP-FMC, a global Leader in oil and gas project whose activities involves off shore, on shore and subsea operations has held a stakeholder’s meeting to iron out challenges affecting the smooth completion of the OCTP programme.
Briefing stakeholders at the programme, the Compliance and Communication Manager, Ms. Adobea Quayson, explained that the company has a Social Impact Initiative Programme which is undertaken in the Communities affected by the operations of Technip-FMC so that eventually when the company is done with its operations, the communities still benefit from the project.
Recounting some of the challenges retarding the completion of the project, she pointed out that some of the indigenes employed do not have the requisite skills to enable them deliver on the job adding that their somewhat appalling attitudes after gaining employment was also a factor.
She lamented that some demand conditions that are way different from what is quoted in their appointment letters adding that when such is not met, they demonstrate thereby frustrating management in focusing on the operations.
She again indicated that the company is most often accused of employing people outside the enclave but explained that most of such employment are done in consultation with the Community Employment Committee which she explained that some underground works done pointed to the face that some people in the committee took monies from outsiders to get them employed.
The Chief of Eikwe, Nana Kofi Amihere III, was not well pleased with the issue of extortion as he pointed out that an earlier agreement to have the chiefs within the enclaves append their signature to the forms submitted by the Community Employment Committee had been flouted.
He expressed the worry that sometimes, the skills the company claims not to get in the community folks turn out to be certain menial jobs that the community people can handle and therefore passionately appealed to the company that, if there would be the need for any external employment, they should employ experts who can train the indigenes to work.
The District Chief Executive, Hon. Kwasi Bonzoh assured the TechnipFMC of the Assembly’s support towards ensuring the successful completion of the project and however, reminded the company for the full participation of the local people to ensure peaceful co-existence in the community.
He pointed out that in the operations of most companies, they come across unintended consequences of the project and so, admonished TechnipFMC to present a comprehensive skills transfer strategy to the Assembly to enable the Assembly know the plans in store for the local people as far as the operations of TechnipFMC is concerned.
Madam Mabel Ayisi from the Western Regional Coastal Foundation (WRCC) pointed out that for mutual communication between the town folks and the company, there should be transparency in the dealings with the people to avoid doubts.
The meeting ended with Chiefs, ENI, GNPC, WRCF, Traditional Leaders and Officers from the Assembly in attendance.
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