Global Policy Forum

Mike Oduniyi

Chevron Nigeria Limited and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) in executing community development projects in the Niger Delta. Mr. Jay Pryor, Managing Director of Chevron Nigeria Limited, said at the signing ceremony last week that the MOU would help the company boost its community development programmes for its host communities.

"Interactions between Chevron and UNDP has started for a while beginning with the development plans for the Ugborodo Relocation scheme," said Pryor. "UNDP has rich experience in handling development projects and this will help Chevron as we begin to do some new projects in the Niger Delta. What we want is sustainability of our community projects in the Niger Delta.

"UNDP has a proven track record of managing community development projects not only in the Niger Delta but all over Nigeria. We know that our partnership with them will ensure that our money is spent more efficiently and that we bring development to our communities faster.

"Areas of interest would be Infrastructure, Healthcare, Education, Economic Empowerment and Micro-credit schemes in aid of small businesses. UNDP has experience in these areas and we look forward to executing more of these projects with even higher standard of efficiency," Pryor added.

UNDP Resident Representative, Professor Mbaya Kak-wenda who signed the MOU on behalf of the UNDP, said the body intended to make the pact "a model for partnership between the private sector and the UNDP."

"We are ready and prepared to work with you (Chevron) within the framework of conflict prevention and capacity building," said Kakwenda. We plan to make the communities to be part of the projects, to make them know that they own a stake in the projects. We use the preventive development approach in ensuring partnership, participation and ownership."

He stressed that the UNDP would assist Chevron, which had lately faced production disruptions due to frequent community crises, to build peace. We have a wealth of experience in development at the grassroots, integrated development, social development and micro-credit. UNDP will help to integrate Chevron's development projects instead of isolated projects," said the UNDP chief. Chevron, Nigeria's third biggest oil producer, lost about three million barrels in production shut in between July and August this year, following invasion of its facilities by Niger Delta women protesting neglect of their communities by the oil company.

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