The growing partnership between the company and its Egi Host Communities was reinforced on Friday, 23-Nov-2007 with the signing of a landmark MoU Agreement between EPNL and Egi Clan at the Sasun Hotel, Port Harcourt.
The negotiated agreement which makes both parties development partners was signed in a convivial atmosphere reminiscent of the earlier one between the company and the Egi Oil and Gas Families on 1-Nov-2007.
The Signing ceremony was witnessed by many observers including the Secretary to the Rivers State Government, represented by Mr. Joe Akpa; an official of the National Petroleum Investment Management Services (NAPIMS), Mrs. Happiness Lemuel-Ojukwu; the Executive Director, Projects, Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Mr. B. Ojum; State Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party, Non Governmental Organizations (NGOs), community based groups and members of the press.
The Egi Clan delegation was led by the Eze Egi, His Majesty Eze Dr. Kingdom Elenwa. Also present was the President, Egi Youth Federation (EYF), Mr. Anthony Harrison; Chief Isaac Agilebu, Chief Oris Onyiri who also doubled as the Chairman of the occasion; Chief John Obuku, Women Leader, Mrs. Gold Igwe; Chief Negotiator, Mr Uche Agburuga; Legal Counsel, Mr. Collins Obulor; and Secretary, Egi Youth Federation (EYF), Mr. Harcourt Alari.
EPNL's delegation to the event was led by the Managing Director / Chief Executive, Mr. Jacques Marraud des Grottes. He was accompanied by the Executive Director, External Affairs, Mr. John Addeh; Executive General Manager, JV Onshore Asset, Mr. Fabrice Arnaud; General Manager, NDDC - EPNL Affairs, Mr. Anthony Abolarin; General Manager, Sustainable Development, Mr. Vincent Nnadi; Senior JVA Advisor, Mr. Herve Chauvier; Deputy General Manager, Sustainable Development Onshore, Mr. Chibuzor Ugwoha; SD Projects Development Manager, Mr. Frank Oriakhi; SD Methods and Reporting Manager, Mr. Lawrence Isung; Partnership Development Manager, Mr. Blessing Nwaerema; JVA Community Relations Manager, Mr. Izu Iduoku; Senior Legal Adviser, Mr. Dornu Kogam; Mr. Samuel Izidor and other Staff.
In his address, Mr. Marraud des Grottes spoke on the company's concept of Sustainable Development and noted that it was time to shift emphasis after the infrastructural development achieved in Egi land.
"It is for this reason that we believe that the time is right to shift emphasis from Physical Development through infrastructure to social and human capital building through capacity development that stands on the tripod of sustainability, enterprise and community ownership of processes, projects and programmes. I have been informed that these have been the guiding principles of the negotiation which produced the agreement that we are signing today and we are happy that our partners also share the same views".
He also expressed appreciation to the people for the hospitable atmosphere they had provided for the company's operations in spite of the situation on the Niger Delta declaring "we are happy and very confident to say we are at peace with our partners. We salute the Egi people. "EGI AMEKA".
The company's model record of peaceful relations and sustainable development with its host communities was also the subject of commendations from the representatives of the state government, NAPIMS and Chief Onyiri.
Similarly, the NDDC representative, Mr. Ojum hailed the eagerness of both parties to sign the MoU and thanked EPNL for its developmental effort in the area and for creating the NDDC - EPNL Affairs partnership
"More so, you have created a partnership that is working and that is the NDDC - EPNL Affairs headed by Chief Abolarin. EPNL is using Egi as a growth pole, as an area where everything you find will be there; all forms of development is going to be seen there and from there several other communities will get development. It is the wish of EPNL to have Egi as growth pole via NDDC. This we are working very hard to achieve," he assured.
In his remarks, the EYF President, Mr. Harrison said "I must commend the effort made by Total to ensure this peaceful atmosphere and the Egi communities for giving us their support."
The presence of the Managing Director / Chief Executive at the ceremony is another confirmation of the company's commitment to its host communities.
