Emma Arubi
04 March 2013, Sweetcrude, WARRI – THE Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation/Chevron Nigeria Limited, NNPC/Chevron Joint Venture has supported the development of Itsekiri communities through the Itsekiri Regional Development Committee, IRDC, with over #5 billion in the past seven years.
The General Manager, Policy, Government and Public Affairs, PGPA, Chevron Nigeria Limited, CNL, Mr. Deji Haastrup made the disclosure at the Great Chevron Hall, Chevron Recreation Club, Warri, Delta state during the formal signing ceremony of the re-negotiated Global Memorandum of Understanding, GMoU between the Joint Venture, IRDC and the Delta State Government.
He said this new GMoU is third in the series intended not only to strengthen the cordial and fruitful relationship between the parties but as an important component of the social performance strategies by the Joint Venture, noting that “it embodies our new direction in ensuring sustainable community development around communities neighbouring our operations in Nigeria.
“The model outlines the stakeholders’ commitment to participatory partnership, transparency and accountability and also builds the peoples capacity for sustainable development and peace-building through commitment to the rule of law.”
According to him, the Joint Venture is happy to note that “within seven of the GMoU, we have supported the IRDC with over #5 billion. This funding has been used to improve the lot of the 23 communities and stakeholders in the IRDC mandate area”.
Mr. Haastrup said the IRDC has provided about #60 million to women who otherwise have no access to bank loans and credit facilities in their robust micro-credit scheme and called for the continued support of all relevant stakeholders for the successful implementation of the programme which he said have contributed immensely to the socio-economic development of the Itsekiri communities and by extension, Delta State.
He assured that the Joint Venture will continue to improve on the GMoU as they truly cherish the relationship that has entered a third cycle.
Chairman of the IRDC, Chief Ayiri Emami in his brief remarks said though the re-negotiated GMoU have not met the full yearnings and aspirations of the oil bearing communities who bear the brunt of oil and gas exploration and exploitation, he nonetheless commended their efforts and charged them to address the issues that have tended to obstruct the required progress in the IRDC operations such as employment into Chevron payroll, engagement of IRDC vendors for empowerment amongst others.
