The Nigerian Federal Government has instructed Chevron Nigeria Limited to address disputes between the oil company and communities within the Warri exploration and production area in Delta State concerning the composition and naming of the Host Communities Trust Fund.
Emphasizing the importance of maintaining peace during the resolution process, the government is determined to ensure prompt and appropriate actions are taken.
The disagreement between Chevron and the Ugbororo, Ugbegugun, and Dembele communities in Warri South Local Government revolves around the nomenclature of the host community trust fund established for these communities and the structure of its Board of Trustees.
Following a protest by residents from these communities at the Escravos Terminal area, accusing Chevron of violating the Petroleum Industry Act (2021), the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission convened a meeting at its Abuja headquarters.
The Chief Executive of NUPRC, Gbenga Komolafe, directed the oil company to resolve the issue within two weeks, as stated in an agency press release on Wednesday.
The statement read in part, “Having listened to the submissions of the parties, Komolafe issued a regulatory position and directed Chevron on the resolution of the matter which must be implemented within two weeks. He emphasised that the law which was very explicit on the matter in contention must be obeyed by all the parties concerned.
“Among other directives, Komolafe called for the immediate convening of consultation meetings with the communities on the proper delineation and naming of the fund in compliance with the PIA and the re-composition of the Board of Trustees in line with an earlier directive of the commission.”
