Tonwe, Akoma present as Chevron inaugurates Board of Trustees of Warri Kingdom Coastal Host Communities’ Development Trust

Director-General (DG) of the Delta Security Matters, Hon. David Tonwe, the Chairman of the defunct Concerned Itsekiris Coastal Dwellers, CICD, CNL Offshore, Mr. Mode David Akoma,  Public Relations Officer of the defunct CICD,  Mr. Besidone Samuel Eyengho and Lugbemi Uwawah, were among critical stakeholders present Wednesday October 25, when Chevron Nigeria Limited, CNL inaugurated Board of Trustees of Warri Kingdom Coastal Host Communities’ Development Trust in Warri, Delta State.

Members of the Board of Trustees of Warri Kingdom Coastal Host Communities’ Development Trust, are: Ikolo Emmanuel; Chairman, Ademola Odemi Doris; Vice Chairman, Tosan Tonwe, Malemi Johnson, Oritshuwa Uwawah and Alhaji Bernard Emiko.

In a goodwill message, The General Manager, Policy Government and Public Affairs, PGPA, Chevron Nigeria Limited, Mr. Esimaje Brikinn, explained that the inauguration was achieved as a result of “tireless efforts of stakeholders from the communities, from the Commission (NUPRC) from our partners and employees, towards ensuring all stakeholder-engagements are done peacefully, despite the associated hurdles.”

A Cross Section of members of Board of Trustees of Warri Kingdom Coastal Host Communities’ Development Trust. Left is Mr. Happy Apai of CNL & others

Our Principal Correspondent, reports that Mr. Brikinn, whose address was read by the Area Manager, Policy, Government and Public Affairs, Field Operations, CNL, Momodu Rilwanu, expressed Chevron Nigeria Limited’s appreciation to the Management of Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, NUPRC and Nigeria Upstream Investment Management Services, NUIMS for their support.

The CNL PGPA Boss, insisted that Chevron Nigeria Limited, will comply with the NUPRC directive and expand the membership of the Board of Trustees of Warri Kingdom Coastal Host Communities’ Development Trust to nine, to accommodate other stakeholders in-line with the directive of NUPRC.

“Chevron has a long history of partnership with its host communities as it is one of our core values to ensure economic development and sustainability in our areas of operations. It is on this premise that we pioneered in 2005 the Global Memorandum of Understanding (GMoU), a community-led participatory partnership model for community development, which served as a developmental template in the industry.  Through this model, over 400 communities have benefitted and the quality of life of over 600,000 people have been improved in diverse ways.

A Cross Section of members of the Board of Trustees of Warri Kingdom Coastal Host Communities’ Development Trust & some Chiefs of Warri Kingdom, after the inauguration

“With the enactment of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), a regulatory framework is now provided to enable the development of our host communities. Chevron Nigeria Limited has therefore transited from the era of GMoU/OMoU to the PIA. As mandated by the Act, the vehicle of engagement between settlor and host communities is the HCDT. Today’s event is a fulfilment of that requirement and serves to assure that communities around where we operate continue to enjoy the benefits of economic development. Chevron is in support of this and other industry improvement initiatives by the government of Nigeria and we are committed to fulfilling all of our regulatory obligations as we operationalize the HCDTs and continue the mutually-beneficial relationship that has existed between us and our host communities.

“As we start this new journey together, we request for the continued support of all our esteemed stakeholders to ensure that the aims and objectives of the Act are fulfilled and the communities around us become more prosperous. With this we hope to see a new operating environment where partnership triumphs and industry challenges such as oil theft, work disruptions, asset vandalism and insecurity are finally eliminated.

“As you are inaugurated this day, esteemed members of the Board of Trustees of the Warri Kingdom Coastal HCDT, we ask that you work with us as partners to see our operations benefit all stakeholders”, Mr. Brikinn, stated.

A Cross Section of members of the newly inaugurated Board of Trustees of Warri Kingdom Coastal Host Communities’ Development Trust

The Chief Executive Officer NUPRC, Engr. Gbenga Komolafe, in a message read by Okunda Kingsley of the Warri Regional Office of NUPRC, stated that the Commission was excited with the inauguration of Board of Trustees of Warri Kingdom Coastal Host Communities’ Development Trust, “belonging to Chevron Nigeria Limited, covering OML 49, 90 & 95”.

“The Commission, as the instrument of the Federal Government, saddled with oversight on Trust establishment, incorporation and administration is delighted to witness the implementation of several sections of Chapter three of the Petroleum Industry Act. 2021 mandating the establishment of HCDTs for the purposes of fostering sustainable prosperity within host communities, providing direct social and economic benefits from petroleum operations, enhancing peaceful and harmonious co-existence between Licensees and Lessees and their host communities as well as creating a framework to support the development of host communities.

“The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, NUPRC in-line with global best practices and in collaboration with relevant stakeholders has developed robust implementation strategies for the Trusts to positively impact against restiveness among the host communities and guarantee seamless operations of the Exploration and Production Companies while also providing an enabling environment for the sustainable development of the Country's hydrocarbon resources.

“It is our hope that the peace and harmony exhibited by the communities under the War Kingdom Coastal HCDT will be sustained during the day-to-day management of the affairs of the Trust, to address the developmental needs of impacted host communities in oil-producing areas”, Engr. Gbenga Komolafe, averred.

The Chairman, Board of Trustees of Warri Kingdom Coastal Host Communities’ Development Trust, Ikolo Emmanuel, in his remarks, pledged to attract development to their host communities and carry everyone along at all times.

Ikolo, assured that they will discharge their mandate according to the law, develop their communities, based on needs assessment and sustain engagement with companies operating in their communities.

The Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse III, represented by Chiefs from the Palace, charged members of the Board of Trustees of Warri Kingdom Coastal Host Communities’ Development Trust, to serve with integrity, saying competence and accountability are the watch-word of the people.

Conveying the speech of the Warri Monarch, Chief Anthony Onuwaje, urged members of the Board, to hit the ground running, by providing quality leadership.

Chiefs Eugene Ikomi, Walter Boyo and Omolubi Newuwumi, were among prominent Chiefs from Warri Kingdom, that graced the ceremony.

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