GMoU: Stakeholders Applaud Chevron, Idama EDA

Chevron Nigeria Limited and the Idama Empowerment Development Association have received the commendation of stakeholders over the successful implementation of the Global Memorandum of Understanding (GMoU) in Idama community in Akuku Toru Local Government Area of Rivers State.

Various stakeholders, who spoke at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the association in Port Harcourt recently, attested to the reasonable development impact recorded in the implementation of the GMoU process in the area.

Representative of the Rivers State Government, Mr Edward Temelaibe, who spoke at the occasion, said the GMoU process has positively transformed Idama community in terms of development.

Temelaibe, a chief development officer in the Ministry of Chieftaincy and Community Affairs, said the development achieved in Idama was brought about because of the peaceful disposition of the people.

While commending the people of Idama for their peaceful disposition, he assured that the Rivers State Government was ready to partner with the community to bring in more development.

Also speaking, Mr Tonye Sukubo, who represented the Executive Director, Rivers State Sustainable Development Agency (RSSDA), Mr Noble Pepple, described Idama community as a model in self development initiative, and called on other communities to emulate Idama.

In his address, the Amanyanabo of Idama Community and Chairman, Board of Trustees of the association, Kingdom Dateme said the development achieved in Idama was based on the commitment of Chevron and the executive of the association to the implementation of the GMoU.

Chairman of the Idama Empowerment Development Council, Mr Karibo Innocent, said the council had, within the period under review, executed various projects in Idama, such as provision of water treatment plants, completion of Phase II of Idama road drainage projects, payment of scholarships, entrepreneurial training for women, maintenance of community generating plant, among others.

He said most of the challenges encountered in the process of the GMoU was overcome with the co-operation of Chevron and other stakeholders.

In his remarks, General Manager, Policy, Government and Public Affairs (PGPA), Chevron, Engr Femi Odumabo, said the NNPC/Chevron Joint Venture was excited to showcase the achievements of Idama Empowerment Development Association.

Odumabo, who was represented by the Community Engagement Co-ordinator, Policy, Government and Public Affairs, T. I. Akagbosu, said Idama Empowerment Development Council has demonstrated the community engagement concept – GMoU – was a veritable instrument for socio-economic development of rural communities in the Niger Delta.

Beemene Taneh