Chevron says Petroleum Industry Act good for host communities

Chevron Nigeria Limited (CNL) has described Host Community Development Trusts (HCDT) in the Petroleum Industry Act as a catalyst that will develop host communities in the Niger Delta region.

It noted that the new law would consolidate the successes achieved through the Offshore Memorandum of Understanding (OMoU) and Global Memorandum of Understanding (GMoU).

The General Manager, Policy, Government and Public Affairs (PGPA) of the oil company, Mr. Esimaje Brikinn, said this at the weekend during the 2021 Annual General Meeting of the Amona Ilaje Ugbo Coastal Communities Development (AMAICOMMA), held in Ugbo, Ilaje LGA of Ondo State.

“This is a new thing and we are seeking to understand it fully and working with all relevant stakeholders to implement this new law and ensure continuation of community development in a participatory way.

“I implore our community leaders, women, youths and other stakeholders to keep an open mind and continue to support this new law so that our communities can reap benefits under the new dispensation.”

Brikinn, who was represented by Chevron’s Communications Coordinator, Kayode Adeboye, stressed the importance of transparency and accountability as part of the corporate governance for community development.

He described AMAICOMMA as a community-based organisation, established under the Offshore Memorandum of Understanding (OMoU), between the Ilaje and Ugbo coastal communities, the Ondo State Government and the NNPC/Chevron Nigeria Limited (CNL) Joint Venture.

“It is heartwarming to note that in keeping with the principles of transparency and accountability, the leadership of AMAICOMMA is able to hold its 2021 AGM today.”

Brikinn lauded the association for achieving most of its cardinal objectives, including community empowerment and sustainable development for the people.

“We are also happy that AMAICOMMA has fostered peace and helped resolved conflicts in its communities. It is important to know that community development can only be sustained in an atmosphere of peace that is conducive for business activities.

“As we all know, a key element of the OMoU is peace building, which creates a platform for all stakeholders to address conflicts through dialogue without allowing them to degenerate into disruptive situations.”

The Managing Director of New Nigeria Foundation, Prof. Obafemi Ajibola, said the AGM was an opportunity to promote transparency and accountability within the CNL OMoU Governance Model.

The AMAICOMMA Chairman, Mr. Taiwo Orisabinone, highlighted some of the achievements of the association to include free medical health services for the aged, pregnant women and children; and skills acquisition for women.

Others, according to Orisabinone, who was represented by AMAICOMMA Secretary, Leke Akingboye, are the ongoing construction of a Mother and Child Health Centre in collaboration with the Ilaje Regional Development Committee (ILRDC) and the construction of an ultra-modern office secretariat at Ode-Ugbo, which is at an advanced stage.

The Olugbo of Ugboland, Oba Frederick Akinruntan, commended CNL and AMAICOMMA for their contributions to the development in his domain.