The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and Chevron Nigeria Joint Ventures invested N20.6 billion on 600 programmes between 2005 and 2018, through its Global Memorandum of Understanding (GMoU) with host communities.
Mr Esimaje Brikinn, General Manager, Policy, Government and Public Affairs (PGPA), Chevron Nigeria Ltd (CNL), said at the inauguration of 52 bedroom detached bungalows, a Town hall and an integrated agricultural farm to some riverine communities in Delta.
Brikinn who was represented by the Area Manager, PGPA, Mr Sam Daibo at the event said the GMoU programmes included scholarships; schools, medical facilities, housing, agriculture and infrastructural development.
The inaugurated housing project was in collaboration with the Itsekiri Regional Development Committee (IRDC) and the Delta government.
The 20 Itsekiri benefiting communities included: Aja-Amita, Ebrohimi, Gbokoda, Jakpa, Obaghoro, Tebu, Kolokolo, Sagharatie, Tisun, Ureju,
Usor, Bateren, Deghele, Ajudaibo, Madaghon, Ijaghala, Ode-Ugborodo Ogidigben.
Others are: Ugbolegin, Ugboegungun, a town hall at Eghoro and one integrated agricultural farm at Tisun all in Warri South-West and Warri North Local Government Areas of the state.
Brikinn said the 52 housing projects came alive “after a long period of inaction due to internal issues,”
While thanking the Delta government, Brikinn said the projects were designed to make life better for the people in the benefitting communities and beyond.
“CNL takes its role as a corporate citizen in Nigeria seriously.
“CNL continues to demonstrate its commitment to responsible corporate citizenship through social investment programmes.
” Programmes that promote health, education and economic development in communities around our operational areas and beyond.
“This occasion demonstrates yet another example of the NNPC/CNL JV’s efforts to improve the welfare of the people in our operational areas and beyond.
“We are happy that community members from the 20 Itsekiri communities around CNL’s area of operations are benefitting from this programme.
“The success of this programme is a demonstration of the strength and benefits inherent in partnership,” he said.
Responding, Mr Freeman Fregene, Delta Commissioner for Oil and Gas who represented the state government thanked the NNPC/CNL JV and urged the people to embrace peace and also make judicious use of the facilities.
“There is no way government alone can provide all infrastructure for its people without the complementing efforts,” he said.