Chevron Nigeria Limited (CNL) has said the new dimension in the Petroleum Industry Act, Host Community Development Trusts (HCDT), will unlock investment opportunities in the petroleum sector and act as a catalyst to develop the host communities in the Niger Delta region.
The General Manager, Policy, Government and Public Affairs (PGPA), Chevron Nigeria Limited, Mr Esimaje Brikinn, said this at the weekend during the 2021 Annual General Meeting of the Amona Ilaje Ugbo Coastal Communities Development (AMAICOMMA), held in Ugbo, Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State.
According to him, the new law would help to consolidate the successes achieved through the Offshore Memorandum of Understanding (OMoU) and Global Memorandum of Understanding (GMoU) while it would also make the nation’s petroleum industry attractive to investors.
Brikinn, who was represented by Chevron’s Communications Coordinator, Kayode Adeboye, stressed the importance of transparency and accountability as part of the corporate governance for community development.
He said: “This is a new thing and we are seeking to understand it fully and working with all relevant stakeholders to implement this new law and ensure the continuation of community development in a participatory way.
“I implore our community leaders, women, youths and other stakeholders to keep an open mind and continue to support this new law so that our communities can reap note benefits under the new dispensation.”
Describing the AMAICOMMA as a community-based organisation established under the Offshore Memorandum of Understanding (OMoU), between the Ilaje and Ugbo Coastal Communities, the Ondo State Government and the NNPC/Chevron Nigeria Limited (CNL) Joint Venture.
“It is heartwarming to note that in keeping with the principles of transparency and accountability, the leadership of AMAICOMMA is able to hold its 2021 AGM today.
“In addition to achieving most of its cardinal objectives including community empowerment and sustainable development,” he said.
The CNL boss commended the association for achieving most of its cardinal objectives, which include, community empowerment and sustainable development for the people.
He said: “We are also happy that AMAICOMMA has fostered peace and helped resolve conflicts in its communities. It is important to know that community development can only be sustained in an atmosphere of peace that is conducive for business activities.
“As we all know, a key element of the OMoU is the peacebuilding which creates a platform for all stakeholders to address conflicts through dialogue without allowing them to degenerate into disruptive situations.”
The Managing Director of New Nigeria Foundation, Prof Obafemi Ajibola, disclosed that “As always, the AGM is an opportunity to promote transparency and accountability within the CNL OMoU Governance Model.
“The CCDC has continued to record landmark successes in their programs and activities designed to bring sustainable development to the OMoU communities.”
Speaking on the new PIA, he said, “I am confident and convinced that the skills and capacity built over the past many years will help us to prepare for a peaceful and stress-free transition.”
The AMAICOMMA Chairman, Mr Taiwo Orisabinone, who was represented by AMAICOMMA Secretary, Leke Akingboye, said the association has recorded many achievements, which include free medical health services for the aged, pregnant women and children; skills acquisition programme for women.
He listed the achievements to also include, the ongoing construction of a Mother and Child Health Centre in collaboration with the Ilaje Regional Development Committee (ILRDC) and the construction of an ultra-modern office secretariat at Ode-Ugbo, which is at an advanced stage.
He commended the CNL for its continued support and funding of the MoU and reiterated the associations’ commitment to driving gender equality by promoting women’s participation in science; and giving back to the community.
“I sincerely hope that we all will key into the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) for a better future for the good people of the oil-bearing communities as soon as the coast is clear,” he said.
The Olugbo of Ugboland, Oba (Dr) Frederick Akinruntan, who was represented by the Baale of Agbede Community, Chief Omotehinse Mogohen, commended CNL and AMAICOMMA for their contributions to the development in his domain.
A highlight of the event was the presentation of the audited financial report by Michael Adebayo of Olorunfunmi Ologun & Co., the firm responsible for auditing AMAICOMMA.
The firm re-affirmed that the financial statement gave a true and fair view of the financial position of AMAICIOMMA for the years ended December 31, 2019, December 31, 2020, and June 30, 2021, respectively and this was supported by several community members at the venue.
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