Francis Sadhere
Chevron Nigeria Limited, CNL, operators of the NNPC/Chevron Joint Venture under its Project Specific Agreement (PSA) with Ekpan Community in Uvwie Local Government Area of Delta State, recently commissioned the Ekpan Women Development Centre.
In his remark at the occasion, the General Manager, Policy, Government and Public Affairs (PGPA), Chevron Nigeria Limited, Mr. Deji Haastrup, said NNPC/Chevron Joint Venture believed very strongly in and is resolutely committed to enhancing partnership with relevant stakeholders to achieve the goal of sustainable development of communities around its areas of operations.
He said: “This achievement is a testimony to the company’s Tradition of Care for communities around its areas of operations and the value it places on women development as bedrock of the development of any society. I salute the Chairman and Members of the PSA Board, and members of the Project Review Committee for their commitment and selfless service.”
While saying that NNPC/Chevron Joint Venture had continued to contribute to adding value to the lives of people around them, Mr. Haastrup encouraged the Ekpan people to put the facility to good use and maintain it for the benefit of the community.
Mr. Haastrup thanked the Delta State Government for its continued support, which he said has facilitated the successful completion of the project and also the Ekpan traditional and community leaders for their commitment and support in actualizing the objective of the PSA.
He added that without their support and cooperation, it would not have realized its mutual dream of providing the facility for the use of the women.
He specifically thanked the Secretary to the Delta State Government who he said has shown high visibility throughout the planning and implementation of the project.
Secretary to the Delta State Government (SSG), Comrade Ovuozourie Macaulay who spoke at the ceremony through Barrister Vincent Omorie, described the center as edifice that would act as money and urged the people to put it into good use, adding that it was a dream come through.
He said, “Own the project. It can also be put into other commercial purposes. It should be driven to enviable height. Government will continue to intervene on behalf of the community.”
The Chairman of Ekpan Development Committee, Godwin Omasibro (JP), lauded Chevron for funding the befitting gift for developing the women in the community.
He said, “We sincerely cherish the commitment of the company to our well being and socio-economic development and we promise to ensure that the centre being handed over to us today lives up to its primary objective of facilitating sustainable development of Ekpan Community.”
