The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, NNPCL/Chevron Nigeria Limited (CNL, Joint Venture (JV), has solicited the support of stakeholders for the success of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) in host communities.
Esimaje Brikinn, CNL General Manager, Policy, Government and Public Affairs made the call on Friday at the inauguration of the Board of Trustees of the Egbema OPUDIS Host Communities’ Development Trust, HCDT, in Warri.
Mr Brikinn was represented at the ceremony by Rilwanu Momodu, Chevron’s Area Manager, Policy, Government and Public Affairs, PGPA.
Mr Brikinn said that Chevron was committed to fulfilling all its regulatory obligations by way of operationalising the HCDTs.
He said that it will also continue with the mutually-beneficial relationship that had existed between it and the host communities.
Brikinn said that there was a long history of partnership between the multinational oil company and its host communities.
He said that one of the core values of the CNL was to ensure economic development and sustainability in its areas of operations.
According to him, to drive development in the host communities, CNL enacted the Global Memorandum of Understanding (GMoU).
“This is a community-led participatory partnership model for community development in 2005.
“It serves as a developmental template for the oil giant and through the model, more than 400 communities have benefited with more than 600,000 persons` lives improved.
“With the enactment of the PIA, a regulatory framework is now provided to enable the development of our host communities. Chevron has therefore transited from the era of GMoU to the PIA.
“As mandated by the Act, the vehicle of engagement between the settlor and the host communities is the HCDT.
“Today’s event is in fulfillment of that requirement and serves to ensure that communities around where we operate continue to enjoy the benefits of economic development.
“Chevron is in support of this and other industry improvement initiatives by the Nigeria government.
“So as we journey together, we request for the continued support of all our esteemed stakeholders to ensure the aims of the Act is fulfilled and the communities become more prosperous,”he said.
