Chevron Renews GMoU With Idama Community

Chevron Nigeria Limited, the operators of the NNPC/Chevron Joint Venture has renewed its Global Memorandum of Understand with the Rivers State government and the Idama Regional Development Council (IRDC), representing the people of Idama Ekuloma, one of the communities bordering one of their facilities in Rivers State.

Speaking during the ceremony to mark the signing of the GMoU last week, Mr. Joe Jakpa, Manager, Policy, Government and Public Affairs, PGPA, Eastern Area Operations of Chevron, who stood in for Engr. Femi Odumabo, General Manager, PGPA, said Chevron was taking another step towards solidifying its participatory partnership agreement for sustainable socio-economic development with communities around its operations in the Niger Delta region.

The event, according to him, marked another turning point in their commitment to strengthen the GMoU community engagement model as a vehicle for sustainable socio-economic development in communities.

“Few community development strategies in the global energy industry offer as much potential for participatory, community-driven socio-economic benefits as the GMOU”, eh said.

Jakpa expressed appreciation over what he called “tremendous support” of the Idama people for the continued progress of the GMoU process and noted that the IRDC has become an example of a worthy ambassador of GMoU that adheres to the fundamental principles of transparency, accountability and sustainability upon which the GMoU stands.

He stated Chevron’s expectation that the GMoU would be a long-term community development catalyst stimulating a sustainable expansion of the economics of the local communities in the Niger Delta and providing significant benefits for the people.

He reiterated the fact that the GMoU could provide a platform for enhancing peace in the region through constructive dialogue and respect for the rule of law.

He also expressed appreciation to Rivers State governor, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Amaechi for providing the enabling environment for the GMoU to flourish in the state.

The chairman of IRDC, Mr. Nengiam Dokubo in his speech, had good words for the GMoU and stated his expectations for better things to come for his people.

Dignitaries present at the signing ceremony include the permanent secretary in Rivers State Ministry of Chieftaincy Affairs, Representative of NNPC, Davie Ogbebo, a representative of Akuku-Toru LGA, NDDC representative, Bolaji Ogunseye of Rivers State Sustainable Development Agency, RSSDA, and the Amadabo of Idama, His Royal Highness, Kingdom Dateme, Okio II.

They all had commendable words for the GMoU and were unanimous in the peaceful disposition of Idama people.