Some communities in the riverine area of Ondo State have protested against the alleged refusal of Chevron Corporation to be involved in the development of their host communities.
Following the development, the communities which are Awoye, Molutehin, Gbadira, Jinrinwo, Ugbo, Mishe, and Erona, stated that the firm should leave their land.
According to residents of the riverine communities in their numbers under the Molutehin-Jinrinwo Development Trust in the Ilaje Local Government Area of the State, the multinational oil company deliberately refused to carry out any corporate social responsibility project in the area.
The residents who expressed dismay over the attitude of the firm disclosed that it reportedly had an agreement to pay royalty to the communities which they stated that the firm has allegedly failed to honour in the last 30 years
The angry protesters, who stormed the headquarters of Chevron in Awoye community in Ilaje Local Government area of the state, maintained that the communities were no longer in support of the operations of the company following the failed agreement.
The protesters, who were armed with placards of various inscriptions while chanting emphasised that the peaceful protest will continue until the firm accedes to their demands.
Some of the placards of the protesting communities read, “We Deserve Better Condition, “Chevron Should Incorporate Our Trust, “Over 30 Years of Operation, No Employment, Enough is Enough.
Others read “Our Land, Our Heritage, “We Need Employment From Chevron, “It Is Our Right To Protest, “No Water, Electricity, Schools In Our Land, “We Have Been Marginalized For Long Among Others.
According to one of the protesters and the Chairman of the Molutehin-Jinrinwo Development Trust, Mr. Kelly Nomiye said there was need for immediate plan for the development of the affected communities under Molutehin-Jinrinwo Development Trust.
Nomiye disclosed that the plan expected by the communities from the firm were building of grade (A) roads and telecommunication networks, electricity potable water, modern river transportation, well equipped and staffed hospitals, establishment of standard school and sand filling and pilling in the communities among others.
Reacting, the management of Chevron Nigeria Limited, through its General Manager, Policy, Government and Public Affairs, Esimaje Brikinn said that the company does not deal with pressure groups.
Brikinn maintained that the company’s channel of engagement with the communities remains the Ilaje Rural Development Advocacy Committee Initiatives, adding that meaningful projects have been executed in different communities.
Chevron Nigeria Limited channels of engagement with the Ilaje communities neighbouring its onshore areas of operations in Ondo State remains the Ilaje Rural Development Advocacy Committee Initiatives (“ILRDC”).
“Through the ILRDC, the NNPC/CNL JV has, through its corporate social responsibility initiatives, significantly contributed to the development of the constituent communities of the ILRDC through the GMoU process.
“The ILRDC has completed various projects in health, education and economic development initiatives and has continued to plan and execute new projects that improve the livelihood of members of the communities.
“Since inception in 2005, successive ILRDC leadership have s expended the fund provided by the NNPC/CNL JV for implementing various projects in the constituent communities. These projects include: a science laboratory, multipurpose halls, concrete and wooden foot bridges, housing projects, town halls, reverse osmosis water project, purchase of two speed boats for transportation, and provision of public toilets.
“The ILRDC has also awarded scholarships, conducted free medical health, acquired two (2) plots of land at Ugbo to construct the ILRDC secretariat and progressed the construction of a Mother and Child Health Care Center, in collaboration with Amalgamation of Ilaje Ugbo Coastal Communities Association at Ode Ugbo.”
Leave our land, you’ve failed in your responsibility – Ondo communities tell Chevron
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