Vanguard
2 December 2008
THE Imo State Government has commended NNPC/Chevron Joint Venture over the successful implementation of community development projects in Izombe, Imo State, under the Global Memorandum of Understanding (GMoU) signed between the company, Jisike Regional Development Council and the Imo State Government.
This was disclosed in a statement released by Femi Odumabo, the General Manager in charge of Policy, Government and Public Affairs, Chevron Nigeria Limited in Lagos at the weekend.
The statement explained that Governor Ikedi Ohakim gave the commendation at the recent commissioning of newly completed six water projects under the GMoU in the area. The governor, who was represented by Chief Nze Ethelbert Nnanna, the Transition Committee Chairman for Oguta Local Government Area, noted that the GMoU has opened a new vista for community engagement and development in the state.
Imo State is the fourth state in recent times to acknowledge the development efforts of Chevron and its JV partner in their areas, following similar commendations from the Rivers, Delta and Lagos state governments. While the Lagos State Government has been pleased with Chevron's community engagement projects in the state, the Rivers and Delta state governments were particularly elated by the impact of the GMoU on communities in their areas.
The Imo State governor expressed delight that the GMoU was essentially building the capacity of the people to drive their own developmental processes by identifying their areas of need, prioritising them, and implementing projects that deliver value to the people.
Advising other companies to emulate the "standards set by Chevron in community engagement," he noted that there should be a cordial relationship between the oil companies and the communities in such a way that both parties gain from the resources and goodwill of each other.
In his address, the Chairman and Managing Director of Chevron Nigeria Limited, Fred Nelson canvassed the continued support of the Izombe people for the GMoU in order to continue to benefit from the dividends of the new community engagement model. Mr. Nelson, whose remarks were delivered by Mr. Esimaje Brikinn, Community Engagement Coordinator, noted that the sustainability of the GMoU depended on the adoption of peaceful dialogue, respect for the rule of law and faithful adherence to the guiding principles of the model.
He expressed delight that the processes and capacity that had been built in the initiative had continued to add value to the lives of the people of Jisike community and throughout the company's areas of operation. The managing director stated that a key attribute of the GMoU was that it allows the people, through their representatives, to take primary decisions on sustainable development programmes that address their needs.
He added: "The successes of the Jisike Regional Development Council reflect that the work-hours invested by Chevron in partnering with the communities, building capacity of the RDC leadership and assisting other community leaders through dedicated training programs are yielding good fruits."
The eight Regional Development Councils (RDCs) with which Chevron signed the Global Memorandum of Understanding (GMoU) in 2005 have been progressing with the successful completion of various projects designed to bring sustainable development to their various
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