Chief Michael Johnny is the outgoing chairman of the Egbema Gbaramatu Communities Development Foundation (EGCDF). In this interview with select reporters in Delta including EBENEZER ADUROKIYA, he provides facts and testimonials on the efficacy of Global Memorandum of Understanding (GMoU) initiated by Chevron Nigeria Ltd (CNL) and its critical place as a panacea to the Niger Delta development debacle.
What is the Egbema Gbaramatu Communities Development Foundation (EGCDF) about?
Egbema Gbaramatu Communities Development Foundation (EGCDF) is one of the Regional Development Committees established in 2005 following a Global Memorandum of Understanding (GMoU) between Chevron Nigeria Limited, the Delta State Government and a cluster of Egbema and Gbaramatu Communities which include Ogbudugbudu, Adagbarasa, Tsekelewu, Polobor Bloc A, Opuama Bloc A, Opuama main community, Benikrukru, Makaraba, Gbaramatu Bloc, Kokodiagbene, Kenyagbene, Okoyitoru, among others. Our vision is to create a peaceful and friendly operating environment for economic activities, wealth creation, human capital and infrastructure development.
What is this GMoU about?
The GMoU is a community engagement concept pioneered by Chevron Nigeria Limited in 2005. It is a tripartite agreement the company signed with Delta State government and the community clusters represented by the EGCDF. It aims to institute sustainability, partnership, transparency and accountability in the management of community development projects. Before then, the company was directly involved in executing community development projects in community neighboring its operations in the Niger Delta with the result that there was not sense of community ownership of these projects and no sustainability assurance in the whole process. With the GMoU, there is a sense of community ownership of the development process; there is transparency in the process; there is a level of partnership with government and other agencies and NGOs and our people are able to manage the funds from Chevron to execute useful community development projects and programs.
What benefits have your communities derived from the GMoU?
We have enjoyed a lot of benefits in terms of infrastructure and non-infrastructure projects; capacity building opportunities for the people, and more importantly, the GMoU has been instrumental to peace building in the communities. It has created a common front for unity in the communities and has brought accountability and transparency to bear in the community development process. In terms of projects, the EGCDF has executed over 90 projects since the GMoU inception while others are ongoing. The projects are in the areas of health, water & sanitation, education, transport and economic empowerment. It is instructive to note that community contractors bid for these projects and execute them following well-established scoping and contract award process.
Are you saying that the people are satisfied with what you are doing?
To a large extent, yes. They are seeing the difference the GMoU has been making in su stainable livelihood of the community. They have never had it so good. Our communities are being transformed through the GMoU process.
Why the agitation by some community stakeholders if people are satisfied?
We are aware that not all the people will be satisfied. Again, not all will appreciate the new order of transparency and accountability brought about by the GMoU. But the GMoU remains a wonderful instrument for instituting sustainable community development in Niger Delta communities. The larger members of the society accept the GMoU and are enjoying the benefits of the model in terms of dividends of development.
Compared to the pre-GMoU era, what would you say have changed in the way you relate with CNL?
A lot. In fact, the GMoU brought about community-driven process of achieving sustainable development. It brought about the principles of sustainability assurance, transparency and accountability. It is also helping to establish peace-building process and mitigating conflicts. Before the GMoU, there was no community ownership of the development process, but now the community owns and drives their development. The projects are scoped and executed by the community contractors under the GMoU unlike before.
How do you see the role of government in this development process?
Government has a major role to play as a partner in the GMoU process. We are aware that provision of social amenities is the responsibility of government. But any company that embraces social responsibility and tries to sponsor community development should be encouraged. We want the governments at all levels and other development agencies such as NDDC, PADECs to emulate the GMoU. We would continue to look for areas of collaboration and partnership with the Government with a view to advancing development to our communities.
If I will advise the Government, I will recommend the GMoU as the right concept for developing the communities. GMoU is the answer to the problem of the Niger Delta. For instance, the EGCDF has very small money compared to the local governments but we are able to do much in terms of project execution. In 2016, we commissioned a number of projects. Recently, our RDC CEMB recently approved N800 million worth of projects and my successor is going to have a busy time executing those projects. If the Federal, State and Local governments could complement the efforts of Chevron in the implementation of the GMOU, we can do in few years, what the government has not been able to do in the past 30 years. The beauty of GMOU is that it focuses on the people and their ability to manage themselves. It is a document that has been put in place for the common man and the local man.
What efforts do you make to secure funds from diverse sources for your projects execution?
It has been difficult getting funds from other sources. Chevron has remained the sole funder of the GMoU. However, we are committed to engaging governments at all levels – Local, State and Federal – to partner with the RDC and sponsor our projects. We are also seeking opportunities for collaboration with development agencies NDDC, PADECs to implement our projects/programs. It is not a bad idea for NDDC for instance to study the RDC’s CD plan and pick projects from there to do for the communities. We will continue our advocacy for third party funding of the GMoU and collaboration with donor agencies locally and globally.
What are the major challenges facing your RDC?
Our major challenge is adequate funding. We also have the issue of government paying lip service to GMoU implementation. We have government representatives in all our committees and the Community Engagement Management Board (CEMB) of the GMoU and yet, government has never deemed it fit to support what we are doing through funds or other collaborative efforts. We are also challenged by the limited knowledge of some of our communities’ representatives about the GMoU. We will continue to work these issues to see that the goals of the RDC are achieved.
What is the future of the GMoU and what should key stakeholders do to ensure sustainability of the process?
The GMoU is a World class community engagement model and it has come to stay. We are aware that the concept is being imitated by different organizations in Nigeria and globally and we highly recommend it as a framework for the development of Niger Delta Communities. We want the government to come out boldly and embrace the model because it is organized, transparent, effective and participatory. Instead of sinking money in several agencies that have not impacted communities significantly, government should endorse the GMoU concept. It should be emphasized that the GMoU should not be left for Chevron alone. With the present economic downturn, we know it is becoming increasing burdensome for the company to remain a sole funder of the GMoU. We seek support from all governmental organizations and NGOs to sustain the GMoU.
What new areas of development will your RDC focus on in the future?
I am leaving as I told you. However, I am aware that in line with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals which range from halving extreme poverty rates to halting the spread of HIV/AIDS and providing universal primary education, all by the target date of 2030, our RDC will pay more attention to economic empowerment, human capital development/wealth creation, education etc. We have been focusing on infrastructure development ever since, this is the time to galvanize efforts towards meeting the needs of the community’s vulnerable/needy groups – women, unemployed youths, children etc. The RDC will work with governments, civil society and other partners to design and implement programs to address the needs of these community members.