Chevron Reiterates Commitment To Partnership For Sustainable Development

Chevron Nigeria Limited (CNL) has said that it is committed to partnership with various stakeholders including the communities neighbouring its areas of operations in the Niger Delta, for sustainable development. CNL is the operator of the joint venture between the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) and CNL. The company affirmed that it 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 other critical stakeholders to ensure the peaceful vacation of the protesters who have blocked access to the Terminal and EGTL jetties since November 21, 2023.   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. CNL’s General Manager, Policy, Government and Public Affairs, Esimaje Brikinn reaffirms CNL’s strict compliance with applicable laws and regulations. “As a law-abiding corporate citizen, CNL is committed and continues to make progress in the operationalization of the respective HCDTs in compliance with the Petroleum Industry Act, 2021. We continue to collaborate with the relevant stakeholders, including community leaders and traditional rulers towards the operationalization of the HCDTs. Also, CNL is committed to ensuring the participation of community workers in the EGTL TAM in line with the manpower mobilization plan”, he said. Esimaje stated that contrary to untrue media reports about some protesters that are allegedly missing, verifiable reports on ground indicate that none of the protesters are missing.  He reiterated 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,” he concluded.

Oyetola assumes office as Minister, Marine and Blue Economy

*Pledges Responsible Management and Utilisation of Marine Resources The newly appointed Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, has assumed office with a pledge to build a responsible management that will ensure efficient utilisation of the nation’s marine resources. Oyetola who made this known on assumption of duty at the Ministry in Abuja expressed happiness at the honour accorded by Mr President to champion and chart a course for the the growth of marine resources, urging the management team to support him to deliver on Ministerial mandate. Oyetola observed that regarding the size of Nigeria’s blue economy, it cannot but be a significant player in the sector which is estimated to be about a $3 trillion globally. Furthermore, he said the blue economy has the capacity to contribute immensely to revenue generation and provide jobs for the unemployed, hence the need to properly harness it. Speaking on fostering and facilitating trade by making our inland waterways navigable, Oyetola said: “We must come up with practicable ways of ensuring that our Inland rivers and waterways are properly utilised, both in terms of cargo shipment and passenger transportation and this can be done by embarking on a wholistic dredging campaign for most of our strategically important waterways so as to make them navigable for the passage of goods and people”. In her welcome speech, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy/Transportation, Dr. Magdalene Ajani, promised a smooth working relationship with the Minister, stating that together they can move the Marine and Blue Economy forward and make it more impactful to the economy of Nigeria. Speaking on efforts made thus far, the Permanent Secretary stated: “We have done a bit in terms of Blue Economy in the country before now. There is a Committee that is being Chaired by the former Vice President working on the Blue Economy and there is an expanded Committee that brings in everyone that is within the waters, so now that we have a stand alone Ministry, we hope and desire that it will impact alot to the economy of the country and move our nation forward”