He made this submission during the Western Regional Stakeholders forum on Petroleum Sector Governance organized by Friends of the Nation on Tuesday saying these districts make their District Medium Term Development Plan without factoring the operations.

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Dr. Manteaw said this practice has over the years hindered the integration of the company’s operations into the local economy and therefore the districts don't get the benefits.

He made mention of Golden Star Resources, a gold extraction company in Prestea Huni Valley district that spends $18 million annually to import frozen chicken from Portugal.

''Can the district assembly factor this importation into its planning processes such that, the assembly develops a plan for people within the district to go into poultry farming to produce what will meet the standards of the company’s demands?” he asked.

Another example he gave was that of activated carbon or palm kennel for heating purposes which are also imported.

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Palm kennel is however in abundance in the Prestea Huni Valley district and other parts of the country; yet mining companies spend millions of dollars importing this commodity for their business.

Dr. Manteaw said if the district assemblies pay heed to this model, it will ensure that the company’s operations are integrated into the local economy to deal with some of the developmental deficits seen in resource-rich districts.

He said this would surely create more a jobs for our people that will in effect create new tax opportunities for the government and build a stronger national economy.