The NNPC/Chevron Joint Venture says it has contributed over N5.5 billion through its Global Memorandum of Understanding (GMoU) to the Egbema and Gbaramatu Communities Development Foundation (EGCDF) in Delta.

Mr Esimaje Brikinn, the General Manager, Policy, Government and Public Affairs of Chevron Nigeria Limited (CNL), disclosed this at the 9th Annual General Meeting of the EGCDF on Thursday in Warri.

Brikinn, represented at the event by the CNL Area Manager, Mr Sam Daibo, said the fund covered from the inception of the GMoU initiated in 2005 till date.

He said that the current leadership of the EGCDF had shown sincerity in the spending the funds meant to develop the communities.

Brikinn urged the communities to continue to support the implementation of the GMoU process to enable them to reap more from the agreement.

“The current leadership of the EGCDF has executed and commissioned 22 infrastructure projects since its inauguration in 2017.

“Some of the projects include: concrete jetties, concrete link roads and drains, cottage hospitals in Polobubo and Oporoza.

“Seven more projects spread in different EGCDF communities will be commissioned in the year.

“Snce inception, we have contributed over N5.5 billion to EGCDF which has been used judiciously through the GMoU to address community needs in the areas of education, health and economic development.

“We constantly review the GMoU process to keep up with the stakeholders’ expectations and emerging development.

“This year, we embarked on the evaluation of the GMoU process and has analysed the outcome and quality recommendation made.

“The GMoU now align more with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

“The additional features include: Operational Excellence, Creativity/Innovation, Sustainable Economic Empowerment Programme and Small Business and Enterprise Development,” he said.

Brikinn thanked the Delta Government for creating an enabling peaceful environment for the GMoU to thrive.

He also thanked the traditional rulers, community leaders and members of the EGCDF for their support toward actualising the objectives of the GMoU.

Also, the Deputy Governor of Delta, Kingsley Otuaro, urged the communities to create an enabling environment to enable Chevron to operate optimally.

Otuaro, represented by Mr Ema Agbatuba, urged youths to acquire relevant trades useful to the oil companies.

“Chevron should increase its Corporate Social Responsibility to the communities, train and empower the people.

“The communities should be steadfast and allow the companies to operate in line with the government aspiration,” he said.

In his remarks, the Chairman of EGCDF, Mr Jude Ukori, urged Chevron to increase its funding to the GMoU process if it must survived.

“It is noteworthy to state that in spite of the perceived short-comings of the GMoU process, it still stands out as the most reliable platform for the sustainable development of our communities,” he said.

Ukori said the EGCDF had inaugurated 12 projects and also awarded four.

He pleaded for more funding to enable the body to execute more projects for the people.