By Tejiri Ebikeme

Approximately twelve years after Chevron Nigeria Limited innovated the Global Memorandum of Understanding (GMoU) model of Community Engagement with the Communities around its areas of operation, the GMoU is waxing stronger.

Proof is the inauguration of the fourth executives of the Egbema Gbaramatu Communities Development Foundation (EGCDF) one of the Development Organisations formed to actualize the GMoU within the communities constituting Egbema and Gbaramatu kingdoms.

The April 16, 2017 event, which held in the Grateful Hall, Manuex Place, Effurun, Uvwie Local Government Area of Delta State was well attended by high net worth individuals, key political and community influencers like the representatives of their royal highnesses the Agadagba of Egbema and the Pere of Gbaramatu kingdoms respectively.

Also present was the General Manager, Policy, Government and Public Affairs (PGPA), Esimaje Brikinn, who was represented Tony Emegere, Superintendent, PGPA Warri.

Mr. Brikinn expressed Chevron’s delight with the success of the GMoU as exemplified by EGCDF.

In his words: “The successful transition of leadership within the EGCDF represents another milestone in the annals of the EGCDF. It reinforces the corporate governance structure of the model which ensures sustainability since it safeguards an orderly transition of leadership. It also advances a key fundamental of the GMoU principles which is inclusiveness through participation by different stakeholders, in addition to transparency and accountability.”

Esimaje noted that successive leaderships of the EGCDF have successfully managed the process to achieve most of its cardinal objectives, including community empowerment and sustainable development.

He said that;” “With the funds available to it, we are glad to note that the EGCDF has executed and commissioned over 110 projects since 2005 including, capacity building programmes in diverse vocational skills, and a successful micro-credit program. A good number of these projects were executed by this past leadership while some are still on-going. This is in addition to the demonstrated capacity for peace building and conflict resolution in the communities that constitute EGCDF.” He commended the past EGCDF leaders for adhering to the key GMoU principles during their tenure.

An excited Comrade Ukori, who emerged the chairman and took over from Chief Michael Johnny after a keenly contested election that was adjudged to be free and fair, promised to adhere strictly to the principles of the GMoU.

“I am highly elated and humble with gratitude to God Almighty for this great honour of being elected and sworn in as the Chairman of our esteemed Foundation…. Together we will determine the course of the Foundation for the next four years; we will certainly face challenges, confront hardships but in the end, I guarantee you we will get the job done. I promise to build on the legacies of the past administrations as well as uphold the original tenets of the GMoU process in promoting the core values of INTEGRITY, RELIABILITY, TRANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY”, he said.

Chief Michael Johnny, the past Chairman of EGCDF, in his handover speech appreciated CNL for establishing the GMoU and its steadfast commitment to the process.

In a similar vein, Delta State Governor, represented by his Senior Special Adviser to the Delta State Government, Chief Barrister O.C Ebikeme, thanked CNL for establishing the GMoU as a developmental platform. In his words: “I sincerely thank CNL for giving us this platform to make us come together and work for our development. It’s a thing of joy that the GMoU has been sustained.”

He harped on the importance of harmony and peaceful coexistence between the communities and corporate bodies like CNL since that would lead to more development and the enjoyment of the dividends of democracy.

Other notable political and Community leaders and influencers present at the event include, representatives from the Participatory Partnerships for Community Development (PPCD) the coordinating NGO and other NGOs, DESOPADEC, Churches as well as other top government functionaries of Ijaw extraction.