Pertamina asked to involve legislators in oil hunting activities

The legislative council (DPRD) of the Prabumulih regency in South Sumatra province has demanded state owned oil and gas company Pertamina to involve the local legislators in the company?s seismic survey, the first step of the company?s activities in finding new oil reserves, local newspaper Palembang Post reported on Friday.

?We should be involved in the seismic survey so that we can immediately handle if there is a problem with the community during the survey,? the chairman of the Commission D of the council, Andriansyah said, adding that it would be unfair if the legislators were involved after the problem with the community got worse.

During the survey, the state owned oil company usually decides the location where the company will carry out its exploration activities. This activities often spark land speculation which will in turn hurt the land owners.

Adriansyah said that if the legislators were involved, they could help finding the best mechanism on how to compensate the land affected by Pertamina?s exploration activities. (*)