Mr Esimaje Brikinn, the General Manager, Policy, Government
and Public Affairs (PGPA) of CNL, made this known on Tuesday at the 10th Annual
General Meeting of EGCDF in Effurun near Warri.
Brikinn, represented by Mr Sam Daibo, the Area Manager, Field
Operations, said the company was committed to the terms of the Global
Memorandum of Understanding (GMoU) between it and the foundation.
“Since its inception in 2005, the NNPC/Chevron Joint Venture
has contributed over N7 billion to the EGCDF.
“Successive Regional Development Committee (RDC) leadership
had used the fund for the implementation of various infrastructure and
non-infrastructure projects.
“Chevron will continue to provide support to ensure that we
achieved sustainable development for the people.
“This is a tough time for the Oil and Gas industry globally.
“Nevertheless, Chevron takes its role as a corporate citizen
in Nigeria seriously and remain active in many projects that promote health,
education and economic development.
“We seek more cooperation from all stakeholders as the
company takes steps to ensure the sustainability of the business in the face of
the current business challenges,” Brikinn said.
He said the benefits of GMoU could only be sustained in an
atmosphere of peace conducive for business activities, imploring people of the
areas to embrace dialogue in resolving issues.
The CNL general manager then thanked the Delta Governor,
Ifeanyi Okowa, for creating the enabling environment for the GMoU to succeed.
He also thanked the various traditional rulers, community
leaders and members of EGCDF for their hard work, dedication and support toward
actualising objectives of the GMoU.
Also, Mr Jude Ukori, the Chairman of EGCDF, said that in
spite of the negative impact of COVID-19 pandemic, the foundation was able to
make remarkable progress and achievements in 2020.
“Under the 2019/2020 New Project Circle, the foundation
awarded a total of 17 projects to contractors nominated by the communities
after a competitively bidding process.
“This is apart from our infrastructure projects, which
indeed have dynamically transformed the architectural outlook and aesthetics of
our communities.
“The foundation also runs chains of non-infrastructure
programmes designed to build the capacity of the indigenes. These programmes
include scholarship, skill acquisition and micro-credit scheme,” Ukori said.
In his remarks, the Delta Deputy Governor, Kingsley Otuaro,
urged people of the areas to continue to embrace peace and dialogue.
“When the issue is beyond you, you can meet the government
and we will intervene,” Otuaro, represented by Mr Emman Amgbaduba, the
Commissioner for Oil and Gas, said.
The ceremony was attended by representatives of the Kings of
Gbaramatu and Egbema Kingdoms, religious leaders, sons and daughters of Ijaw,
among others.
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