• Tasks Oil Companies, Host Communities On Dialogue

BY SUNDAY EGEDE

DETERMINED to expand the frontiers of entrepreneurial development in Delta State, Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, yesterday, presented start up packs to 311 beneficiaries of the Women Economic Skill Acquisition Programme (WESAP) of the state government.

The beneficiaries were made up of 220 women trained in fashion and design, hair dressing, catering, decoration and event management and make up/gele tying as well as and 91 persons with disabilities, who were trained in ICT, confectionaries, fashion and design, leather work and industrial production.

Speaking at the ceremony held at Event Centre, Asaba, Governor Oborevwori said his administration is fully committed to empowering citizens of the state to overcome life’s challenges and achieve their full potentials and happiness.

According to him, the event marked another significant milestone in his administration’s journey to provide opportunities for all, in line with its MORE Agenda, adding that economic inclusion was the key to social cohesion in any society.

“It is evident from the joy and excitement on the faces of our beneficiaries today that this intervention by the state government serves as a much-needed relief and a beacon of hope.

“We all understand how painful and frustrating it can be to possess a vision but lack the means to actualize it. Many of these men and women have acquired essential skills in their chosen fields of enterprise but, unfortunately, have not had the capital to launch their dreams.

“Through a rigorous process of interviews and selection conducted by the Ministry of Women Affairs, Community and Social Development, these individuals have been recommended for support by the state government.

“Today’s event marks another significant milestone in our administration’s journey to provide opportunities for all, in line with our MORE Agenda. As a government, we are fully committed to empowering our citizens to overcome life’s challenges and achieve their full potential and happiness.

“Today, we are proud to empower 311 individuals, providing them with tools to transform their lives. Economic inclusion is the key to social cohesion in any society.

“When citizens are not deprived or disadvantaged and are given the opportunities to grow in an enabling environment, they thrive. This is the essence of our administration’s various social investment programmes,” the governor said.

He disclosed that significant progress has been made in empowering Deltans within this year alone, adding that over 203,204 persons have benefitted from various empowerment platforms of the state government.

The governor said 426 artisans, petty traders, and female entrepreneurs have been supported, pointing out that 6,000 farmers have received empowerment, with fertilizers distributed across the 25 local government areas of the state.

“Let me, also mention the focus on Agriculture under the Result Area ll of the Fadama Food Security of the D-CARES Scheme as well as the release of ₦1 billion counterpart funding from the African Union Development Agency, New Partnership for Africa Development to empower 2,000 farmers for food production in the state,” he added.

Speaking further, the governor implored beneficiaries of the programme to justify government’s huge investment in them by making judicious utilisation of the startup packs distributed to them by the state government.

“To our esteemed beneficiaries, I have a few words of advice. As you begin your entrepreneurial journey, I urge you to make the most of this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

“Justify the trust the government has placed in you by using these resources wisely. Remember, selling your starter pack or misusing the support given to you is a disservice to yourself, your community and the vision of this initiative,” he said.

Earlier in her welcome address, the Commissioner for Women Affairs, Community and Social Development, Hon. Princess Pat Ajudua said the event marked another milestone in the state government’s commitment to ensure empowerment and inclusiveness in building a more prosperous Delta State.

She disclosed that the ceremony was a significant step in fulfilling the Ministry’s mandate to mainstreaming gender and human rights perspectives across all levels and to ensure that women and vulnerable groups were empowered to guarantee peace and sustainable development.

“In line with our mandate, we will continuously roll out programmes and activities that promote the welfare of women, children, persons living with disabilities, and other vulnerable groups in Delta State,” the Commissioner added.

In their separate goodwill messages, the Secretary to State Government (SSG), Dr. Kingsley Emu and the Chief Job Creation Officer, Mr. Ifeanyi Egwuyenga said the empowerment programmes of the present administration were aimed at wiping poverty out of the state and advised beneficiaries not to allow anyone deceive them to sell their start up packs.

They equally thanked the governor for always approving resources for wealth creation and execution of socio-economic projects that have direct positive impacts on the lives of Deltans and residents of the state.

…Tasks Oil Companies, Host Communities On Dialogue

BY SUNDAY EGEDE

Meanwhile, Governor Oborevwori, has urged oil companies and host communities to adopt dialogue approach rather than confrontations in resolving disputes.

Governor Oborevwori gave the charge, yesterday, when he received on courtesy visit, the management of Chevron Nigeria Limited led by Senior Corporate Affairs Advisor, Chevron International, Exploration and Production for Africa Region, Engr. Esimaje Brikins, at Government House, Asaba.

The Governor, while congratulating Mr. Esimaje Brikins on his new appointment, tasked his successor 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, adding that he would also not tolerate oil companies oppressing the people.

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

“Some companies didn’t survive it. They left. But Chevron are here operating, the offshore and onshore, having understanding with the people and managing the system very well.

“When you are operating in a terrain like Delta State, if you are not knowledgeable enough to understand the people, you may not survive it.

“So, my advice to the man who is taking over from you, is to go and look at the history of Chevron because it is not easy to manage the people.

“Most especially the ethnic nationalities where they operate from. Anytime you call us to intervene, we will. I will not allow any community to go and shut down any of the oil stations. It is something that I will not take. They know I will not take it.

“I will not also 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.

“When a new government comes in at the community level, they want to see how you can impress the community because there are things that are statutory and they may not understand the way you operate, that is why you see that there are conflicts.

“It is only good that you dialogue than confrontation. I believe in dialogue than confrontation. So, your coming here, I am very happy. It shows that we will work together and that there is understanding between the government and the company,” the Governor said.

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

He said Delta State was home to Chevron having operated there for over 50 years and thanked Governor Oborevwori for the support to Chevron and other oil companies operating in the state.

Brikins reiterated Chevron’s long-term presence and commitment to Delta State, highlighting ongoing projects like the $1.4 billion drilling programme funded by banks.

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

“It has not been very easy doing business and I can tell you that 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 sustains operations on land in the near offshore area, and in the deep water area.

“We are here to stay and by being here to stay, we require the full support of all well meaning stakeholders. The Governor has been a very strong supporter in 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 Governor and the entire government of Delta State.

“We recognize the fact that our operations here bring significant revenue to the state by way of taxes, but of course, that is 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.

“I want to thank the Deputy Governor as well, including everyone, to let you know that by your continuous support we will continue to look out for opportunities to grow.

“We currently have an ongoing drilling programme that we have committed about $1.4 billion dollars for that drilling programme. There are very few oil and gas investments at this time in the country that is ongoing.