FG orders Chevron to end dispute with host communities

• Individuals from these communities staged a protest in the Escravos Terminal area, accusing Chevron of violating the provisions outlined in the Petroleum Industry Act (2021)
  

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The Federal Government has directed Chevron Nigeria Limited to address the ongoing conflicts between the oil company and communities within its Warri exploration and production area in Delta State.

These disputes primarily concern the structure and designation of the Host Communities Trust Fund.

Furthermore, the government has urged both parties involved to maintain peace while the matter is being resolved, emphasizing its commitment to ensuring 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 configuration of its Board of Trustees.

Allegedly, individuals from these communities staged a protest in the Escravos Terminal area, accusing Chevron of violating the provisions outlined in the Petroleum Industry Act (2021).

At a meeting with the feuding parties at the Abuja headquarters of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, the Chief Executive of NUPRC, Gbenga Komolafe, directed the oil firm to resolve the matter in two weeks, according to a statement issued by the agency 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.”

The commission stated that the process, which must be supervised by its Warri Regional Office, was expected to be finalised and the report sent to the NUPRC within two weeks.