Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, Tuesday, said his administration would not allow oil companies operating in the state to oppress their host communities, neither would it tolerate host communities disrupting oil production.
Governor Oborevwori stated this while playing host to the management of Chevron Nigeria Limited who paid him a courtesy visit at Government House, Asaba.
He disclosed that the state government derived most of its revenues from oil production, adding that for that reason, he would not want anything that might disrupt oil production in the state.
According to him, “if oil production is high, Delta State will benefit”, pointing out that as at today, the state was number one in oil production in the country.
“l will not allow oil companies to oppress their host communities, neither will I allow the host communities to stop oil production. This is because, we derive most of our monies from oil production.
“lf oil production is high, Delta State will benefit because, today we are number one in oil production. If you disrupt operations, we will not benefit,” the Governor said.
While appreciating the continuous contributions of Chevron Nigeria Limited to the nation’s economy and development, he applauded management of the company for coming to interface with the state government.
Governor Oborevwori implored the company to continue to do more for their host communities, adding that, “I have known Chevron all my life because I am a Warri boy. There is nothing I do not know about Chevron. I will say that we have a lot of regards for Chevron.
“Many companies left Warri but Chevron is still here with us. Warri is a home for Chevron and that is the reason why, if they are having any community issue, I always talk to our communities to make sure that there is cooperation between the company and the host communities.
“I am also aware of what you are doing in terms of social responsibility to our people. But you know that our people need more and you have promised that you will do more. You also know that my agenda is MORE for Deltans.”
He recalled, “Few days ago, the leaders of the Itsekiri Nation paid me a courtesy call. They also mentioned the problem of light and water, although we are handling the issue of water now.
“But I believe that Chevron can also see what they can do because, few days back, the people wanted to protest.
“l also intervened because I always believe in dialogue. As a leader, dialogue has more benefits. You know these people: you have been with them for many years and they are people that you can manage. You need to listen to them.
“Few days back, they took over your administrative office at Ekpan. You people know the role we played to intervene before they were able to pull out from the place.
“Sometimes, you listen to them, discuss with them. The things you know you can do for them, do them. The ones you cannot do, tell them you can’t do them. Tell them your limit.
“But most of the issues is about employment. We want our people to be employed. When there are slots, give to them; they are the host communities and they will be happy.
“Look at Chevron now; how many of our people are in top management positions? Just few. We need you to put our people in top management positions not only just employ people as casual staff and all that,” the Governor added.
Governor Oborevwori called on investors to leverage on the friendly business atmosphere in the state by investing in the state, assuring that the state was safe for business.
Earlier, the Chairman and Managing Director of Chevron Nigeria Limited, Jim Swartz, expressed appreciation for the mutual beneficial relationship between company and the Delta State.
He said Chevron Nigeria Limited does not take the mutually beneficial relationshipis for granted, adding that they would continue to sustain the partnership.
“We have operated in Nigeria for over six decades and for most of those years, it has been in partnership with Delta State.
“We have contributed to the well-being of both the government and the people of the state. We have a significant foot print here. Escravos is our home base of our operations.
“We have our administrative and logistics base in Warri. This is home for Chevron Nigeria Limited. We are also proud of our track record of paying taxes.
“l am happy that what was developed between our company and your state has become a model of how states and companies can work together.
“We have specific projects ranging from cottage hospitals to river boat clinics, classroom blocks, water projects, teachers quarters, town halls; the list goes on. These are the things we have done together to improve lives in your state,” Swartz said.
