The Communities from Oil rich region of Imo State have been advised to shun aggressive approach in demanding for their rights from the government and oil companies operating in their areas.

The advice was given by the Commissioner for Niger Delta affairs, Henry Okafor while addressing members of the Niger Delta Journalists Association who paid him a visit at his office in Owerri.

The Commissioner said one of the ways to address issues facing the oil rich communities is to discourage attitude of double standard, avarice and self-serving on the side of leaders representing the various communities.

He maintained that most of the restiveness been observed in the areas are caused by the so-called leaders who fail to deliver on the mandate given to them.

Okafor reiterated the need for harmonious relationship between the host communities and the oil companies to enable even development in those areas with accordance to the agreement reached.

The Commissioner maintained that the oil companies are always ready to meet the needs of the host communities in line with the Petroleum Industry Act,PIA, to be able to have easy access to their operations sites.

He urged the people, especially the leaders of the host communities, to discard enmity, corruption and greed which the commissioner insisted were major problems hindering development, peace and progress in the Communities.

Okafor called on the Communities to channel their issues and grievances to the Ministry instead of being violent or carrying arms, saying the Ministry is saddled with the mandate of ensuring that the oil companies do the needful to their host communities to strengthen peace and development.

The Commissioner who is also from an oil producing area and former Managing Director of ISOPADEC, said the government of the State has been very concerned for the overall welfare of the hydrocarbon communities, hence its sterling efforts to ensure that the oil and gas conglomerates do the needful to the people.

“The Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs has been pushing oil companies to fulfill their promises to the people, the PIA should be maintained. The people should be peaceful while pressing home their demands.

“Leaders of the host communities should stop playing double standard, but work in one accord to see the oil and gas companies do what is right. Governor Hope Uzodinma, who knows what oil politics entails, has brought in more oil companies into the State and this measure has significantly boosted oil production and revenue in the State” he added.

Okafor used the moment to refute allegation of meddling leveled against him by some individuals when he intervened to reconcile issues between the one of the communities and an oil company.