Warri — CHEVRON Nigeria Limited (CNL) introduced a new deal for oil and gas producing communities in the Niger-Delta, yesterday, with the signing of a historic Global Memorandum of Understanding (GMoU) with 23 Itsekiri oil and gas producing/impacted communities in Delta State.

Under the novel participatory partnership model, the company would pay money into an account to be administered by Itsekiri Regional Development Council, representing Itsekiri oil and gas producing/impacted communities in CNL's western operation area in Delta state. It is the duty of the council to plan, design and execute projects agreed to by the respective communities for their development and by this measure, the communities and not the oil company, would be responsible for underdevelopment of their areas.

The signing ceremony at Effurun, Delta state, was witnessed by Delta State Commissioner for Inter Ethnic Relations and Conflict Resolution, Mr. Ovouzorie Macaulay, representing Governor James Ibori; Chairman and Managing Director of the company, Mr. Jay Pryor, represented by the General Manager, Government and Public Affairs, Mr. Femi Odumabo; Itsekiri leader, Chief Joseph Popo who stood in for the Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse II; chairman of Warri South West Local Government Area, Mr. David Tonwe and the chairman of the Development Council, Mr. Steve Jemerigbe.

Pryor pledged that with the signing of the GMoU, the company would, within two weeks, after all other formalities have been perfected, release fund "to the best of protocol agreement" into the council's account for the execution of projects in the communities.

He said that the account would have signatories from the council, the state government and CNL but added that there would be a separate account for general administration.

"This occasion signals a new dawn in our renewed and refreshed effort to contribute to the improvement in the quality of life of our neighbours in our Western Nigeria operations area, and to build a healthier and more enduring relationship with our neighbours and other stakeholders", the Cheveron boss said, adding that, "the GMoU, which replaces previous agreements and MoUs is an important component of the new community engagement strategies by the NNPC/CNL Joint Venture.

"This new community engagement model is designed to promote sustainable community development in Nigeria through participatory partnership and community ownership of development programmes and projects. The GMoU is hinged on core values formulated to enhance accountability, transparency, peace, security, and building of community capacity for sustainable development, as well as conflict resolution through due process and the rule of law", he said.

Governor Ibori who spoke through Commissioner Macaulay thanked the company for the new deal and the Itsekiri communities for accepting the GMoU after the initial lethargy. He, however, charged the company to be faithful in the implementation of the new agreement for the bane of previous misunderstanding was non-implementation of signed agreements.