Chevron Nigeria Liimited, CNL, in continuation of its partnership with communities in Delta State in improving quality of life is spending over N188million for training of 40 Deltans in agriculture.
This was revealed by Mr. Deji Haastrop, GM, policy, Government and Public Affairs, CNL during the launch of “Youth Agripreneur Project” Thursday at Egbokodo, Delta State.
He states that the agricultural training program is in line with the SMART agenda of the state government.
Haastrop stated that Chevron has spent over N16 billion in various development programmes in its eight regional development committees in the past 10years.
According to him, “In the last 10years, the GMOU has engendered implementation of a wide range of infrastructural and non infrastructural projects including water supplies, rural electrification projects, school, building, cottage hospitals, road and drainage networks etc.
“In this Agripreneur program therefore, CNL is partnering with the International Institute for Tropical Agriculture (IITA), the Foundation for Partnership Initiative in the Niger Delta (PIND), the EGCDCF and Itsekiri RDC to implement the pilot program with 40 trainees from the two RDCs.
“The objectives of this pilot program, which will gulp over N188million, include empowering youths to embrace agriculture and agribusiness as income generating activity and training them in various agricultural fields.”
On his part, Mr. Dafe Sejebor, Group GM, NNPC-NAPIMS said the Agripreneur program is coming at a time the country is passing through challenging economic times due to low crude oil price.
Represented by Mrs. Clementina Arubi, Deputy Manager, Community Development, Sejebor admonished trainees to take the training serious in order to reap the full benefits at the end of the program.
He revealed that the GMoU process have benefited from hundreds of infrastructural projects that cut across plethora of areas with success and determination to do more.
“The NNPC/Chevron Joint Venture remains committed to improving the quality of life of our communities and that is why we implement projects/programs through the GMoU that addresses the needs of the people.” Sejebor added.
Miss Felicia Timinimi, one of the beneficiaries who spoke to media expressed gratitude to Chevron and the RDC for giving her the privilege of attending the training.
She promised on behalf of the trainees to be dedicated and enthusiastic of putting the knowledge into use at the end with a view to achieving it’s objectives.
