Just In : Chevron reaffirms commitment to Nigeria
Chevron Nigeria Limited has said it is a genuine investor in Nigeria, contrary to a statement credited to Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo State.
The oil company said its investments for the past six decades had aided developments in several communities in Nigeria.
The PUNCH reports that Uzodimma had said during Channels Television’s show on Sunday that Chevron and other international oil companies were not genuine investors in the Nigerian oil sector.
Uzodinma said, “Let’s take the oil and gas industry for instance, is there anywhere in the world you go, and you see any filling station, you want to refill your car and you don’t see Shell, Mobil, Chevron, Total? How many of them are operating filling stations in Nigeria? Why are we isolated? And you call them real investors? Why have they taken to offshore operations, abandoning onshore operations if they are genuine?
“You go to Houston, landing Houston Airport, you see oil locations, you see vegetables planted all over there, habitable for human existence. “Fly to Warri, as you are landing at the Warri Airport, look at oil locations. Look at the sea, all the fishes, nothing existent, no fish there. The environment is degraded to a criminal level.
“Are they what you call investors, people who have no regard for our environmental laws? Are those investors? People who are into double standard; applying different applications in other countries, applying degrading applications in Nigeria. Is that what you call investors? Please if we don’t take our destiny in our hands, we will be doomed for it.”
Responding in a message sent to The PUNCH on Tuesday, the General Manager of Policy, Government and Public Affairs, Esimaje Brikinn, said the oil firm remained committed to sustaining what was called the existing mutually beneficial relationship with Nigeria and other stakeholders
“Chevron Nigeria Limited remains committed to sustaining the existing mutually beneficial and long-term relationship with Nigeria and other stakeholders as demonstrated by our significant economic and social investments in Nigeria over the last six decades.
“These investments have generated visible and viable socio-economic development in several communities across Nigeria,” Brikinn remarked.
The company’s spokesperson differed with the Imo governor on claims that it had no regard for Nigeria’s environmental laws.
According to Brikinn, Chevron’s operations were conducted with sound environmental management practices, in compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
He added that Chevron placed high priority on the protection and safety of people and the environment
Brikinn stated, “CNL’s operations are conducted with sound environmental management practices in compliance with applicable laws and regulatory requirements.
“CNL places the highest priority on and remains committed to the protection and safety of people, the environment, and its assets in its areas of operation.”
