Oil Coy Restates Commitment To Host Communities

A multinational oil company operating in the Niger Delta region of the country, Chevron Nigeria Limited, has said it is committed to the development of its host communities in the Niger Delta region.
General Manager, Policy, Government and Public Affairs, Chevron, Mr. Esimaje Brikinn, made this known at the 9th Annual General Meeting of the Dodo River Communities Development Association, (DRCDA), weekend in Bayelsa State.
Brikinn noted that the firm said it will continue to support the community-driven development model of its Global Memorandum of Understanding, GMoU, to fast tracked development in the host communities.
According to him, “The achievements of  the DRCDA reinforce our belief that a process that is community-driven with an effective governance structure can stimulate quicker community development than processes and systems designed without effective participation of community members”.
In his address, the Chairman, DRCDA, Mr. Francis Amamogiran, said the association got a total of N95.43 million for 2020 fiscal year, which was slightly higher than the N93.46 million received for the year 2019, which he explained was used for infrastructural projects, scholarships and administration of the Dodo River Secretariat, among others.
Amamogiran stated that the annual general meeting was in in line with the principles of transparency and accountability embedded in the Global Memorandum of Understanding, (GMoU).
He said, “the AGM is in keeping with the Transparency and Accountability principle embedded in the GMoU. It is an opportunity for the RDC to open its books for the relevant stakeholders to be abreast of its activities and accomplishments.
He commended the NNPC/CNL JV for consistently funding the Association, and called on State Governments in the region to be more actively involved in community development, adding, “we equally call on Government at all levels, to be fully involved to encourage, guide, monitor and provide every necessary support in the process of community decision making, projects planning and implementation,” he stated.
Dodo River Communities Development Association manages the GMoU for Dodo River cluster communities, host to the oil firm in Bayelsa State.

By: Tonye Nria-Dappa