By Samuel Ogude
Chevron Nigeria Limited,the operator of the Joint Venture between the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has said, the organization is committed to operationalization of Host Community Development Trust (“HCDT”) in compliance with the Petroleum Industry Act 2021.
This is sequel to the protest embarked upon on November 21 2023 at about 7am where they used boats to patrol CNL’s Terminal and Escravos Gas-To-Liquids (“EGTL”) jetties and subsequently blocked access to Escravos Terminal (including EGTL jetty) in CNL’s Western Area of operations demanding for the renaming of the Warri Kingdom Onshore Host Community Development Trust (“HCDT”) and involvement in the nomination of additional persons for inclusion on the Board of Trustees (“BOT”) of the HCDT just as they requested in addition for the mobilization of their community workers for the EGTL Turn Around Maintenance (“TAM”) activities.
In a press statement by the General Manager, Policy, Government and Public Affairs, Chevron Nigeria Limited, Esimaje Brikinn, said CNL continues to collaborate with the relevant stakeholders, including Ugborodo Community leaders and traditional rulers towards the operationalization of the HCDT. to ensure the participation of community workers for the EGTL TAM in line with the manpower mobilization plan.
According to the statement, CNL continues to engage with relevant stakeholders including the protesters, community leaders, traditional rulers, the BOT of the HCDT, Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (“NUPRC”), the Delta State Government, and other critical stakeholders to ensure the peaceful vacation of the protesters from CNL’s Terminal and EGTL jetties adding that CNL places the highest priority on and remains committed to the safety of people, the environment and its assets.
Part of the statement reads:”
The protesters are demanding for the renaming of the Warri Kingdom Onshore Host Community Development Trust (“HCDT”) and involvement in the nomination of additional persons for inclusion on the Board of Trustees (“BOT”) of the HCDT. In addition, they are requesting for mobilization of their community workers for the EGTL Turn Around Maintenance (“TAM”) activities.”
Meanwhile, the statement said, contrary to media reports about some protesters that are allegedly missing during the protest, verifiable reports on ground indicate that none of the protesters are missing as the organization is engaging with relevant stakeholders including the protesters at its Terminal and Escravos Gas—To-Liquid (“EGTL”) jetties, community leaders, traditional rulers, the Board of Trustees (“BOTs”) of the Warri Onshore Host Community Development Trust (“HCDT”), the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (“NUPRC”), the Delta State Government, and others to ensure the peaceful vacation of the protesters who have blocked access to the Terminal and EGTL jetties since November 21, 2023. The statement added that organization advocates respect for the rule of law and use of constructive dialogue in the resolution of all issues.
The statement further said it is CNL’s priority for the safety of the people, the environment, and assets in all its operations saying that CNL will continue to engage the relevant stakeholders to resolve the issues amicably.
Part of the statement reads:”… contrary to untrue media reports about some protesters that are allegedly missing, verifiable reports on ground indicate that none of the protesters are missing. … CNL’s priority on the safety of the people, the environment, and assets in all its operations and noted that CNL will continue to engage the relevant stakeholders to resolve the issues amicably. CNL advocates respect for the rule of law and use of constructive dialogue in the resolution of all issues”