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Tag: GMoU

  • Rivers to check restiveness through gmou

    Rivers State Government has declared that the Global Memorandum of Understanding (GMOU) would help to check restiveness in oil-bearing communities.

    Commissioner for Chieftaincy and Community Affairs Dr John Bazia made this declaration when he inaugurated the Community Trust Board (CTB) to manage a N1 billion five- year GMOU between Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) and its Residential Area (RA) Landlord Communities in Port Harcourt.

    The RA Landlords communities comprise Rumuorianwo and Rumuejiminehu in Rumuokwurusi as well as Rumuibekwe and Mgbuesilaru  which are all in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of the state with three members each to represent them on the CTB.

    Bazia explained that the GMOU is a process that would discourage communities from disturbing the activities of corporate organizations in their various communities pointing out that instead of barricading offices of companies operating in their land, all that the people “need to do now is to do a petition to this ministry to say that a company has refused to do this, then we will invite the company and the community and amicably resolve the problem.”

    Bazia also said that “as a government, we have come with this noble idea because before now, they used to say that those of us in Niger Delta are restive but I know that even in family, people would disagree but what is important is that we can disagree to agree, hence the need for this GMOU.”

    Continuing, the commissioner said the GMOU “is one of the surest ways of driving development to all nooks and crannies of our state and I also believe that the corporate organisations that are here have taken so much from our people and there is need for them to give back to our people and this is the way to give back.”

    He also advised members of the board not to be selfish or be parochial but to rather think about community and development for their communities.

    “So this is another opportunity for you people to serve your communities, think well and think good of your communities, see how you can drive projects to your communities because I believe in the GMOU,” he said.

    He further cautioned them against the formation of parallel government saying that they should not begin to see themselves as different leaders of the community as this is not the intention of the formation of the CTB.

    He said: “This is not an opportunity for you to start antagonizing your paramount rulers, which is not the intent. If you ask me, the intent is that as from today, you will begin to respect your paramount rulers; work with them and all of us will work together with the ministry as government so that our people will enjoy the benefits of this GMOU.

    “It is your paramount rulers that nominated you so first and foremost you owe your allegiance to them and to your community. Therefore I charge you to go and improve on your communities. Your communities should be better than how you met it.”

    “It is our duty to create the enabling environment for corporate organizations to go about their business unhindered and in doing so to fulfil their social corporate responsibilities and obligations.”

    However, commenting on the GMOU, Eze Sir Morgan Nweneda Amadi of Okwurusi Kingdom said that he and his subjects are delighted for what SPDC has done and the state government for coordinating the GMOU and bring it to conclusion.

    Amadi added: “You know part of the anger of the Niger Delta people is to make sure that they are part of the resources of the oil industry. For Shell to agree to invest about N1 Billion in this five-year GMOU, it is a remarkable thing.”

    He also advised members of the CTB to ensure that their communities get the benefits of the GMOU such as scholarship, roads, infrastructure, youth, women and general wellbeing of their people.

    Eze Ambassador Ray Elewa, the Paramount ruler of Rumuibekwe, said the GMOU is a way of trying to develop the host communities.

    Elewa said: “What we have done today is to bring development to our various communities and we are indeed grateful to SPDC and RVSG for the successful outcome of today’s event.”

    Though SPDC was not present at the inauguration, but  the  traditional rulers  explained that all the documentations on the GMOU were prepared by the company in collaboration with Rivers state government and both are ensuring that there is peace in the host communities.

  • GMOU: Etche communities laud SPDC

    The Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) has been commended for maintaining its own part of agreement in the General Memorandum of understanding (GMOU) entered with its host communities in Igboh cluster of Etche local government area of Rivers State.

    The chairman of Etche Cluster One Development Foundation, Hon Stanley Amaechi made this commendation yesterday  in Port Harcourt while briefing the press as part of the activities marking his two years in office as cluster chairman.

    He said the company’s corporate social responsibility to its host communities in the area was the best among other companies operating in the area, adding that the reason for which the cluster was founded in 2013 have not been violated by the parties.

    His word:  “The Igboh cluster One Development Foundation has expressed gratitude to SPDC, the Monarch of Igboh kingdom, HRM Eze Samuel Amaechi for the support he gave to the foundation through the enthronement of peace.

    “We are calling on other multinational companies operating in the area to emulate SPDC and join hand with the host communities to bring development especially the construction of accessible road in the area.”

  • 111 Delta oil communities sign Gmou with Npdc

    111 Delta oil communities sign Gmou with Npdc

    the Delta State government has brokered a peace deal between 111 aggrieved host communities on OML 30 and the Nigeria Petroleum Development Company (NPDC) culminating in the signing of a Global Memorandum of Understanding (GMoU).

    The event which took place in Asaba, the Delta State capital, had Delta Deputy Governor, Prof Agbe Utuama and other top government functionaries in attendance.

    Also present was Mr Omamuzo Erebe, the Director of People’s Rights, Delta State Ministry of Justice, Mr Aweka Avwenaghagha, Head Local Content Unit, Ministry of Oil Gas and the Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to the Governor, Mr Vincent Omorie, on Community matters.

    The highlight of the ceremony was the signing of the GMoU by Delta Commissioner, Oil and Gas, Mr Mofe Pirah and the Managing Director, Nigerian Petroleum Development Company, Mr Anthony Mouneke who led a delegation of management staff.

    It will be recalled that host communities on OML 30 which spread between Delta South and Central senatorial have been at loggerheads with NPDC leading to an ultimatum by the communities which culminated in the shutting down of oil operations of the company.

    Delta Deputy Governor, Prof Agbe Utuama who signed on behalf of government in a speech noted that the State government decision to take an active role in brokering this GMoU is borne out of its policy to ensure that an enabling environment is provided for investors to carry on their business in an atmosphere of peace and security.

    Utuama admitted that the negotiations which were mediated through the office of the Department of People’s Rights in the Ministry of Justice in conjunction with the Ministry of Oil and Gas was tough, added that when both parties had a deadlocked he stepped in.

    Utuama said the GMoU has some highlights which includes incorporating the Delta State Government as a party to the GMoU, adding that this was principally a request from the communities.

    Another highlight includes a fixed project sum to be paid yearly by NPDC into a dedicated account to be managed by the community themselves.

    Furthermore, Utuama said, in line with the GMoU, the communities will identify their needs and execute the projects.

    Also the GMoU has a clause instituting a peace award of 5% of the project sum to clusters that record no disruption of company’s operations.

    Mr Anthony Mouneke while speaking with reporters said the GMoU was to compensate host communities, ensure peace and a good working relationship with the host communities and the whole state at large.

    Mouneke assured that the GMoU will be respected by all parties concerned as both parties intends to respect the terms of the document, adding that the Delta State Government has demonstrated its commitment to the success of the GMoU by its leading role in negotiations.

    His words, ‘This GMoU is going to be different because you are here and it is the intention of both parties to respect it. NPDC intends to keep its word, the host communities have indicated that they want to keep its word as you have seen the Delta State Government have put its weight on this GMoU so I am must assured that it will work.’

     

     

  • Community partners Chevron to develop Ilaje

    In a clear departure from the constant conflicts between oil communities in the Niger Delta and the oil producing companies, one of the oil majors and its host community in the riverside area of Ondo State are working to develop the area.

    Chevron Nigeria Limited and Ilaje Regional Development Committee,(IRDC) in partnership with the state government have entered into a Global Memorandum of Understanding (GMoU) to bring development to the coastal communities in the state.

    Following the need to cater for people in the coastal area of the state, the IRDC  was established in 2005.

    The GMoU is a new concept that allows the oil communities the opportunity for a pride of ownership and management of various projects in the area with Chevron providing the funds.

    At its fourth Annual General meeting (AGM), the Chairman of IRDC, Prince Jackson Nomiye, said about N91 million had been expended on the construction of a 4,500-metre wooden walkways, which link many of the communities in line with cardinal objective to stimulate development in Ilaje land.

    He said over 30 projects have been executed and most of them have been handed over to the communities.

    Among the projects are Housing Units at Ode-Ugbo and Jirinwo, multipurpose  town halls at Molutehin and Awoye, and a science laboratory at Molutehin.

    Nomiye said Reverse Osmo project equipment worth several millions of naira were also brought to site for installation for the provision of potable water to the mandate areas.

    On skill acquisition, the IRDC chairman said: “Several of our youths and women groups are sent to learn new skills at vocational training centres while many are employed at the end of their training.

    “In line with our commitment to the empowerment of all Ilajes covered by the RDC, each year almost N12million is awarded as scholarship to our students both in secondary and higher institutions beside call scholarship.

    He said because of the council relationship with Chevron, many contractors got contracts worth several millions of naira, while many job seekers got short and long term appointments with the oil giant and contractors working for the oil company.

    Nomiye, however, appealed for increase in funding as the seed money provided by Chevron was not enough for the execution of projects.

    Besides, he called for contributions from other stakeholders such as the state and local governments, agencies and parastatals, Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Niger Delta Ministry and OSOPADEC.

    The General Manager Public Affairs of Chevron, Mr. Deji Haastrup, praised the IRDC leaders for their good management skills, which informed the tremendous achievements the body had achieved.

    According to him, the council has expended N800million in implementing both infrastructure and non-infrastructure projects most of which have been completed and inaugurated.

    Haastrup called for renewal of the GMoU to keep up with stakeholders’ expectations and emerging developments.

    He commended the state government for providing the leadership that has continued to create the enabling environment for the implementation of the GMoU.

    The Olugbo of Ugboland, Oba Frederick Akinruntan, who was represented by the Ajagajigi of Ugboland, Chief Adesola Fagbeye, urged Chevron to bridge the communication gap between him and the organisation to facilitate robust dialogue, especially on siting of projects in the area.