By Francis Sadhere, Warri

The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation/Chevron Nigeria’s Limited Joint Venture (NNPC/Chevron JV) on Thursday inaugurated and handed over the Ubeji community Town Hall in Warri South Local Government Area of Delta, to the community.

The General Manager, Policy, Government and Public Affairs, Chevron Nigeria Limited, Mr. Esimaje Brikinn, who spoke at Ubeji during the Commissioning/handing over of the Town Hall to the Ubeji community, said the occasion has demonstrated yet another example of the NNPC/CNL JV’s efforts to improve the welfare of their neighbours and beyond.

Mr. Brikinn, who was represented by the Area Manager Policy, Government and Public Affairs Field Operations, Mr. Sam Daibo, noted that the project was selected by Ubeji community to provide a conducive environment for community meetings as well as a revenue-generating venture for events, adding that “through the renovation of this hall, the objective is being met.”

He thanked the Ubeji community for managing the project, and also creating the enabling environment for the successful execution of the project.

Brikinn, also thanked the Delta State Government for nominating representatives to serve on the project implementation committee, giving permission and providing the enabling environment to ensure the successful completion of the townhall renovation project.

He also hoped that the townhall would be well maintained and it would serve the community for many years.

He said, “The partnership between all the stakeholders in the implementation of the project reminds us of the saying that: “Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.”

“The NNPC/Chevron Joint Venture has a robust partnership with the Delta State Government, as well as with the communities around our areas of operations.

“We are happy that this partnership has led to improvements in the people’s quality of life through our investments in Education, Health and Social Infrastructure and the sponsorship of manpower development programmes in the health and educational sectors.

“Our gratitude goes to the Governor of Delta State, His Excellency, Sen. Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa for the state’s consistent support for our programs and operations.

“Apart from the renovated townhall which we are commissioning today, there are several projects by the NNPC/Chevron Joint Venture and other Chevron companies in Nigeria, which are either on-going or have been completed across the state including a Six-classroom block at Ubeji Grammar School.

“Ladies and gentlemen, as you can see, through partnership with the Government of Delta State as well as community stakeholders, we have been adding significant values to people’s lives through our Corporate Responsibility and Community Engagement initiatives.

“This is the trail of goodness we leave behind in every community neighboring our operations.”

Delta State Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, commended NNPC/Chevron Joint Venture for the successful completion and commissioning of the project.

The Delta State Commissioner for Oil and Gas, Amb. Price Emmanuel Amgbaduba, who represented the the governor, enjoined the community to make use of the Town Hall to their advantage and and not only value to lives but also commercial value.

“I want to first of all congratulates NNPC/Chevron Joint Venture for their partnership with all their host communities.

“Ubeji community has just proved to me that you are hospitable, peaceful and a wonderful host community. When we are peaceful the next thing that will follow is development.

“Women Development is a very commendable factor in the lives of our community. If you develop one woman your are developing four men. So we will want to appeal to you to you to take woman development seriously,” he said

Chairman Ubeji community, Amb. Godwin Mone, in his address commended the management of Chevron Nigeria Limited and all the Government representatives who partnered together with the community in one way or the other putting resources together to make the project a huge success.

Mone, also used the opportunity to to appeal to Chevron to look into Women empowerment in areas soft loan to supported them in trading/marketing.

While demanding for a GMoU between the community, Chevron and Government, Mone also appealedl to Chevron to look into Skill acquisition programme for their youths, adding that Chevron should also not forget their indigenous vendors.

PHOTO: Hon. Price Emmanuel Amgbaduba, Delta State Commissioner for Oil and Gas (m), Sam Daibo, Area Manager Policy, Government and Public Affairs Field Operations, Chevron Nigeria Limited, (2nd left), Amb. Godwin Mone, Chairman Ubeji community (left), Happy Apai, GMoU Coordinator/Govt Affairs Advise, CNL (left) and Pa Kome Dimeji during the occasion of the Commissioning/handing over of the Ubeji community Town Hall.