The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) has given Chevron Nigeria Limited (CNL) and Ugborodo communities in Delta State a two-week ultimatum to resolve their dispute over the establishment of a Host Community Development Trust. The directive came in a letter signed by Ogannubi. O.B. on behalf of NUPRC Chief Executive, Gbenga Komolafe. The ultimatum follows a meeting in Abuja between NUPRC management, CNL, and Escravos Communities, including Ugborodo.
NUPRC’s letter outlined specific instructions, including the return to the status quo before hostilities, the maintenance of peace, and an examination of how the delineation of host communities was conducted. It also called for the composition of the Host Community Development Trust (HCDT) Board of Trustees, an open process for selecting nine members, a mutual resolution on the name for HCDT, and a report from CNL within two weeks.
Community leaders, including Alex Eyengho and Perry Atete, confirmed the NUPRC’s directive and expressed hope that Chevron would comply with the commission’s instructions. The community leaders emphasized their stance on the name “Ikpere Host Community Development Trust” and their commitment to resolving the matter within the specified timeframe.
The letter read further, “CNL is to convene a meeting to be midwifed by the commission, Warri Regional Office, to examine closely how the delineation of the host communities was conducted to ensure it was in accordance with the provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act 2021.
“The composition of the HCDT Board of Trustees should be amicably thrown open by the host communities while all parties must mutually work out a formula to select the nine members.
“That Chevron Nigeria Limited transmitted to the commission a report on the implementation of the rulings in (i-iv) above within two weeks. The report should be fully signed and certified by representatives of both parties, CNL and the host communities.”
