Oborevwori urges oil firms, host communities to ensure peaceful co-existence

The Governor of Delta State, Sheriff Oborevwori, on Tuesday, called on oil companies and host communities across the state to “adopt dialogue approach rather than confrontations in resolving disputes.”

Oborevwori gave the charge while hosting the management of Chevron Nigeria Limited, led by the Senior Corporate Affairs Adviser, Chevron International, Exploration and Production for Africa Region, Esimaje Brikins, who paid him a courtesy visit at the Government House, Asaba.

The governor, while congratulating Brikins on his new appointment, urged him to understudy the operations and relationship with host communities and stakeholders.

He cautioned that he would not condone shutting down of oil facilities by host communities just as he would also not tolerate oil companies oppressing the people.

The governor said, “I believe you must have an understanding of the terrain you operate. Chevron has been managing the place for a long time. It didn’t start today.

“My advice to the man who is taking over from you is to go and look at the history of Chevron. I will not allow any community to go and shut down any of the oil stations. It’s something that I will not take. They know I will not take it. I will not allow the oil companies to also oppress our people. They must keep to the MOU because when you keep to it, it also helps.

“The most important thing that would make you succeed is your engagement with the people and create a lot of awareness.
“It is only good that you dialogue than confrontation. I believe in dialogue rather than confrontation. So, by your coming here, I am very happy. It shows that we will work together and that there is an understanding between the government and the company.”

Speaking earlier, Brikins praised Oborevwori for his leadership, community engagement and efforts to stabilize the region, which has benefited Chevron’s operations and the state and country’s economy.

Brikins described Delta State as “home to Chevron” having operated in the State for over 50 years and thanked Governor Oborevwori for the support to Chevron and other oil companies operating in the state.

He highlighted Chevron’s impact on local communities through job creation and contracting opportunities, as well as the company’s intention to deepen the relationships.

Brikins spoke further, “It’s not been very easy doing business and I can tell you the Governor of Delta State has been instrumental to ensuring that we continue to sustain our operations here. If you look at the area of activities in the oil industry today, Chevron is one of the very few international oil companies that still fully sustain operations on land in the near offshore area, and in the deep water area. The Governor has been a very strong supporter of this story that I have just painted.

“It could sound so easy but to sustain your operations where others are struggling to stay afloat tells a great story of the kind of support that we get from the government and the entire government of Delta State. We recognise the fact that our operations here bring significant revenue to the state by way of taxes, but of course, that’s secondary.

“The willingness to ensure that there is always peace to grow goes beyond whatever revenue that will come because where there is peace, then you can think about expansion and that is what we continue to enjoy from the kind of support that we get from the Delta State government. Our presence here brings significant returns to the communities where we operate and we are looking forward to ensuring that we improve on those relationships.

“We are very optimistic that my successor will continue to keep that mantle and sustain that relationship in a way that will not disappoint stakeholders. We know that your heart is very very close to the communities because you understand the communities much more than any one of us here can think of.”