Omon-Julius Onabu in Asaba
Chevron Nigeria Limited (CNL), Operators NNPC/CNL Joint Venture, has stated that driving human progress remains the cornerstone of the day-to-day running of their activities as a company, including its corporate social responsibility.
Chevron’s General Manager, Policy, Government And Public Affairs (PGPA), Esimaje Brikinn, made this known at the Itsekiri Regional Development Council (IRDC) Annual General Meeting at Effurun, near Warri, Delta State.
Represented by the company’s Area Manager, PGPA, (Field Operations), Mr. Sam Daibo, Brikinn said that Chevron has, over the years, worked and demonstrated ethical, environmentally responsible, safe, and respectful business practices.
Brikinn said, “Everywhere we work, we demonstrate ethical, environmentally responsible, safe and respectful business practices. As we would say, we are in the business of driving human progress.
“Our primary contribution is by safely developing and delivering affordable and reliable energy that is necessary for social and economic progress.
“Additionally, we contribute through our work in protecting people and the environment and by investing in health, education, and economic development.
“The greatest success of the Global Memorandum of Understanding (GMoU), however, is in meeting its objectives by making communities take the driver’s seat in their own development and ensuring significant empowerment and capacity building opportunities come to our people.
“It is important to note that community development can only be sustained in an atmosphere of peace that is conducive for business activities.”
He further assured that CNL will continue “to navigate the changes currently on-going in the oil and gas sector” as well as support the development of the communities.
In his remarks, Delta State Commissioner for Oil and Gas, Prince Emmanuel Amgbaduba, who was represented by Dr. Efe Okoro, commended the IRDC for judicious use of the funds at its disposal in executing meaningful projects across the communities.
Okoro, who said that the government would continue to create an enabling environment for oil firms in the state to thrive, sued for understanding and cooperation of the different oil and gas host communities in the state while urging members of the IRDC to continue to work with the executive to help them succeed.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Chairman of the IRDC, Amb. Austin Oniyesan, said that the annual general meeting afforded him the opportunity to report to members, communities and partners on the activities and achievements of the IRDC as well as projections for the future.
While reeling out the achievements of the Austin Oniyesan-led executive body with the aid of visuals, the chairman said that his tenure had recorded visible milestones especially in infrastructure.
He listed the projects to include the construction of several two-bedroom housing units in all 23 communities under the GMoU, construction of community town halls at Ureju and Udo Communities, construction of concrete walkway with bridge at Tisun Community, construction of 560m road project at Bateren Community, construction of Integrated Agriculture farms at Tisun Community, Training and Provisions of Starterpacks for selected 20 “Agripreneurs”, training of youths on agriculture service providers and delivery by IITA Ibadan.
Others he said include the construction of Gbokoda community cottage hospital, construction of Bateren Community Health Centre, among others in
education, healthcare and human capital development.
In his goodwill message, Prof. Obafemi Ajibola, Chairman, IRDC, Community Engagement Management Board (CEMB), congratulated the IRDC and commended the commitment of its leadership and the supporting committees in their persistent drive towards the development of the communities.
Prof. Ajibola lauded CNL for pioneering one of the best models for sustainable community engagement and development and for their commitment to the continued success of the model.
