Chevron highlights power of GMoU, partnerships in taming oil theft, vandalism
The General Manager, Policy, Government and Public Affairs, (PGPA) at Chevron Nigeria Limited (CNL), Mr. Esimaje Brikinn has emphasized the value of participatory partnerships in combating the menace of oil theft and pipeline vandalism in oil and gas operations in the Niger Delta.
The public affairs tactician made this known while contributing to the panel discussion on “Innovative Strategies – Combating Crude Oil Theft & Pipeline Vandalism” at the Nigerian Oil and Gas conference and exhibition (NOG) in Abuja on Wednesday, July 4, 2018.
Brikinn averred that every IOC in Nigeria has been affected in one way or the other by the activities of oil thieves, engaging in illegal bunkering and “local refining” operations adding that their activities continue to cause significant damage to the environment and affect revenue streams leading to loss of benefits.
While observing that CNL evolved a proactive approach to combating the issue of oil theft and pipeline vandalism by involving relevant stakeholders including the government security forces, Brikinn added that good results are linked to the relevant state governments and the Regional Development committees (RDCs) under the Global Memorandum of Understanding (GMoU).
Business Hilights recalls that GMoU remains a strategic enabling and tested policy that is anchored on community-driven multi-stakeholder participatory partnership model for community engagement and sustainable development in our areas of operations.
Continuing, Brikinn revealed that the platform known as the Community Pipeline and Facilities Surveillance Programme (CPFSP) with strong governance, has become a model for enhancing the fight against oil theft and pipeline sabotage, enhancing multi-stakeholder partnerships and collaboration and providing sustainable social license for oil and gas operations.
He told conferees that in the 13 years of its implementation, the GMoU has recorded significant achievements especially in areas of education, health, and economic development. The NNPC/CNL JV has contributed over NGN20.6billion to the RDCs to implement projects and programmes for about 600,000 beneficiaries in more than 400 communities.
The Chevron’s corporate chief noted that “In terms of managing conflict and enhancing peace in communities, the GMoU story is one we are very proud to tell, and has resulted in very impressive footprints in various communities and the model has helped improve CNL’s relationship with its neighboring communities, as it created a clearer and more predictable channel for dialogue”.
He commended the commitment of the traditional institutions, the Government security forces, the community and RDC leaders for driving the multi-stakeholder collaboration for asset protection and stressed that CNL continues to work to strengthen relationship with these stakeholders.
“The community leaders have shown great commitment to this process and have seen the connection between CNL’s operations and their livelihood. They understand that an enabling environment for our operations translates to continuous benefits to the communities in terms of our contributions to their socio-economic development,” he explained.
