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As Gov Warns Against Host Communities’ Oppression, Oil Production Disruption
BY SUNDAY EGEDE/CHIKA KWAMBA
DELTA State Government, yesterday, warned intending pilgrims against acts that could bring the reputation of the state to ridicule at the global front.
The government, therefore, urged the intending pilgrims to be ambassadors of the MORE Agenda by conducting themselves in a Christ- like manner and show good conduct.
The State governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, represented by Commissioner, Bureau for Special Duties, Hon.Terry Etacherure gave the admonition at a seminar organized for the 2024 Intending Pilgrims in the state, with the theme “Pilgrimage As a Tool for Spiritual Renewal,” held at the Delta State Christian Center, Asaba, the state capital. Go Oborevwori said, “The pilgrimage is a once in a while lifetime opportunity to walk in the footsteps of our Lord Jesus Christ, to experience the Holy site, where he lived, preached, and sacrificed his life for our salvation.
“As you prepare to depart, I urge you to approach this journey with reverence, humility, and an open heart. May you be deeply moved by the spiritual significance of the places you will visit, and may your faith be strengthened by the experience, as this Pilgrimage is not just a physical journey but a spiritual one. “Remember you are an ambassador of Christ and the Delta State Government and by extension ambassadors of the MORE Agenda. The world will be looking at us, and we must therefore display the spirit of excellence at all times as we advance Delta State”.
Gov Oborevwori added, “Let me warn, there will be security personnel in your midst to mitigate any attempt to abscond, please do not event attempt what you cannot finish”.
He commended the Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission (NCPC) and the state Christian Pilgrim Welfare Board for their tireless efforts in organizing the sacrade journey.
In his remark, the Chairman, Delta State Christian Pilgrims Board, Apostle Sylvanus Okorote reeled out preparatory tips and travel guidelines ahead of the pilgrimage date.
He stressed the need for the intending pilgrims to adhere to the rules and regulations guiding the pilgrimage, even as he advised them to count themselves lucky to be part of the sacred journey “Count yourself favoured that, out of almost six million Deltans, you are the chosen ones for this Pilgrimage,” Okorote added. He expressed gratitude to Gov Sheriff Oborevwori for the approval and sponsorship of over 250 pilgrims to the Holy Land of Israel and Jordan to perform the 2024 holy pilgrimage. He added: “the best you can do for His Excellency, the Board and Delta State for their sacrifices is to conduct yourselves as good Christians, pray and return back to Delta State with your double JP certificate.
In his goodwill message, the Chairman of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Delta State, Rev Lucky Osagbakhoe appealed to the intending pilgrims to the Holy Land to put up their best behavior as Christians.
… Warns Against Host Communities’ Oppression, Oil Production Disruption
BY SUNDAY EGEDE
MEANWHILE, Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, yesterday, said his administration will not allow oil companies operating in the state to oppress their host communities nor will I allow host communities to disrupt oil productions.
Governor Oborevwori stated this while playing host to the management of Chevron Nigeria Limited (CNL), 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 will not want anything that may disrupt oil production in the state. According to him, if oil production is high, Delta State will benefit, pointing out that as of today, the state is number one in oil production. “l will not allow oil companies to oppress their host communities nor will I allow the host communities to stop oil productions. This is because we derive most of our money from oil production.
“If 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 Chevron’s Nigeria Limited continuous contributions 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 the people in their host communities, adding that the company should shun the policy of divide and rule which, he said, does not do anyone any good.
“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.
“So 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.
“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 a few days back, the people wanted to protest. They said that the Okuama community which is close to that area is getting light. “But l also intervened because I always believe in dialogue. As a leader, dialogue has more benefits. I also know that at times Chevron likes this divide and rule approach. But divide and rule doesn’t pay.
“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 administration 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 it. The ones you cannot do, tell them you can’t do this. Tell them your limit
“But most of the issues are about employment. We want our people to be employed. When there are slots given 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.
Meanwhile, Governor Oborevwori has called on investors to leverage on the friendly business atmosphere in the state by investing in the state economy, assuring that the state was safe for business. Earlier, the Chairman and Managing Director of Chevron Nigeria Limited, Jim Swartz, expressed appreciation for the mutually beneficial relationship between the company and the Delta State Government.
He said Chevron Nigeria Limited does not take the mutual beneficial relationship for granted, adding that they will 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.
