Warri — GOVERNOR Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State has charged oil multinationals operating in the Niger Delta to emulate Chevron Nigeria Limited in the quest for accelerated development of oil bearing communities.

The governor, who was represented by his Special Assistant on Oil and Gas, Mr. David Ekereokosu, made the call at Oporoza, Warri South-West, during the commissioning of projects worth over N700 million executed by Chevron's created Egbema/Gbaramatu Central Development Council (EGCDC), weekend.

Ekereokosu stated that companies should not wait for youths of oil bearing communities to take to violence before carrying out some corporate social responsibility projects in their areas of operation.

He charged the commu-nities to reciprocate the kind gesture of Chevron by ensuring peace at all times.

Speaking at the palace of the traditional ruler of Gbaramatu kingdom, HRH Ogeh Gbaran 111, the Pere of Gbaramatu kingdom, Chairman of the EGCDC, Mr. Edmund Doyah-Tiemoh said he came to acquaint him of their intension to commission projects in different communities under his domain.

Doyah- Tiemo revealed that Chevron had contributed over N1 billion to the coffers of the council since inception, saying that the projects being commissioned were a result of Chevron's faithfulness in meeting its financial obligation to the EGCDC.

He, therefore, charged the people to ensure that peace prevailed at all times to encourage the company do more for them.

The council boss stated that the projects were part of the first batch of twenty projects embarked upon in November 2007, after a GMOU was signed in October 2005.

He explained that the projects cut across education, health, water and sanitation, transportation/landing jetties/shades, town halls, classroom blocks, staff quarters and guest houses, amongst others.

Among the benefitting communities in Gbaramatu kingdom in Warri South-West are Oporoza, Kokodiagbene, Macaraba and Okoyitoro, while those in Egbema kingdom in Warri North include Opia, Pereowo, Olougbene, Okifamba and Ogbudugbudu respectively.