The oil giant, Chevron Nigeria Ltd (CNL), has highlighted how it has been successfully combating the menace of oil theft and pipeline vandalism in its oil and gas operations in the Niger Delta.

The General Manager, Policy, Government and Public Affairs (PGPA), Mr. Esimaje Brikinn, gave the highlights while contributing to the panel discussion on Innovative Strategies – Combating Crude Oil Theft & Pipeline Vandalism at the Nigerian Oil and Gas conference and exhibition (NOG) in Abuja.

He emphasized the value of participatory partnerships as one of the methods applied in combating the menace in the Niger Delta creeks. Mr. Brikinn noted that every IOC in Nigeria has been affected, in one way or the other, by the activities of oil thieves, who engage in illegal bunkering and local crude oil refining operations.

He added that the activities of the economic saboteurs have continued to cause significant damage to the environment and affect revenue streams leading to loss of benefits.

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Speaking on how Chevron is combating the menace, Mr. Brikinn stated that the oil giant evolved a proactive approach by involving relevant stakeholders including the government security agents, the relevant state governments and the Regional Development Committees (RDCs) under the Global Memorandum of Understanding (GMoU), which is a community-driven multi-stakeholder participatory partnership model for community engagement and sustainable development in the company’s areas of operations.

He said the platform, known as the Community Pipeline and Facilities Surveillance Programme (CPFSP) with strong governance, has become a model for enhancing the fight against oil theft and pipeline sabotage, enhancing multi-stakeholder partnerships and collaboration and providing a sustainable social license for oil and gas operations.

Mr. Brikinn disclosed that in the 13 years of its implementation, the GMoU has recorded significant achievements, especially in areas of education, health, and economic development.

According to him, the NNPC/CNL JV has contributed over N20. 6 billion to the RDCs to implement projects and programmes for about 600, 000 beneficiaries in more than 400 communities.

“In terms of managing conflict and enhancing peace in communities, the GMoU story is one we are very proud to tell and has resulted in very impressive footprints in various communities and the model has helped improve CNL’s relationship with its neighboring communities, as it created a clearer and more predictable channel for dialogue,” he noted.

He commended the commitment of the traditional institutions, the government security forces, the communities and RDC leaders for driving the multi-stakeholder collaboration for asset protection and stressed that CNL will continue to work to strengthen the relationship with the stakeholders.

“The community leaders have shown great commitment to this process and have seen the connection between CNL’s operations and their livelihood.
“They understand that an enabling environment for our operations translates to continuous benefits to the communities in terms of our contributions to their socio-economic development,” he reiterated.

Culled From: Premium Times