By Margaret Nongo-Okojokwu
While commemorating the World Environmental Day (WED), Chevron Nigeria Limited, the operator of the joint venture between the Nigerian National Petroleum and CNL, says it has remained an active agent of sustainable development and strong advocate of partnerships in support of the environment for over 50 years.
The CNL made this known in a statement released to mark the World Environment Day held annually on June 5.
The World Environment Day (WED) is the biggest event to celebrate and promote environmental awareness and sustainability across the globe. Established by the United Nations General Assembly in 1972, WED aims to raise global awareness and mobilize humans to take positive environmental action to protect nature and the planet Earth.
This global event has since become the principal vehicle through which the UN stimulates worldwide awareness about the environment. It also gives a human perspective to environmental issues, empowers people to become active agents of sustainable development and advocates multi-stakeholder partnerships in support of the environment. From 1973, when the first WED was held, the event has always been marked with different campaign themes and discussions focusing on environmental stewardship.
This year’s theme of the WED, ‘Beat plastic pollution’, urges governments, industries, communities and individuals to come together in exploring sustainable alternatives to urgently reducing the production and excessive use of single-use plastic polluting the oceans, damaging marine life and threatening human health.
Explaining CNL’s commitment to the environment, the Chairman/Managing Director, Jeff Ewing noted that the company is happy to be part of the solution to the global environmental issues wherever the company operates through its sound environmental management policy that supports environmental stewardship and sustainable development.
The Managing Director, CNL, Jeff Ewing, stated that the company was happy to be part of the solution to global environmental issues.
According to him, wherever the company operates, through its sound environmental management policy, it supports environmental stewardship and sustainable development.
He added, “CNL has in place company-wide operational excellence management systems that deliver industry-leading performance in process safety, personal safety and health, environment, reliability and efficiency.”
The CNL has a record of responsible environmental stewardship everywhere it operates and has also established enduring partnerships with governments, non–governmental organisations, business organisations and communities.
“The CNL has been supporting and sponsoring various programmes aimed at preserving the environment. These partnerships and efforts have been recognised and rewarded within and outside the country.”
The firm said that its commitment to preserving the environment had left enduring landmarks in the landscape, including the Lekki Conservation Centre, a centre of excellence in environmental research and education reserved as a sanctuary for the rich flora and fauna of the Lekki Peninsula.
“This 78-hectare facility is the only one of such in the Lagos area and was established by the CNL in partnership with the Nigerian Conservation Foundation in 1992. The support for the LCC best connects Chevron’s activities to the theme of the WED 2018,” the firm stated.
CNL’s environmental stewardship process lays the foundation for sound environmental management. The identification, assessment and management of environmental risks runs through the entire project cycle from inception to operations and through decommissioning. CNL recognizes the importance of minimizing our footprints and conserving biodiversity. The NNPC/CNL Joint Venture (JV) strives continually to achieve world class environmental excellence by assessing and reducing its footprints and potential impacts from its operations on the environment.
Management of waste is an integral part of CNL’s operations and this is documented by project and operations focused waste management plans. The company states that it effectively manages its third-party waste handling contractors towards ensuring management of waste from cradle to grave (generation, storage, transportation and disposal).
Chevron Nigeria’s commitment to preserving the environment has left enduring landmarks in the landscape. The Company established in 1992, the Lekki Conservation Centre (LCC) — a centre of excellence in environmental research and education, reserved as a sanctuary for the rich flora and fauna of the Lekki Peninsula.
The 78-hectare facility was set up by the Company in partnership with the Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF). The support for the LCC best connects Chevron’s activities to the theme of the WED 2018.The NCF is Nigeria’s foremost non-governmental organization dedicated to environmental conservation and an affiliate of the World-Wide Fund for Nature.
In 2005, Chevron established a yearly postgraduate research scholarship for PhD students in environment and conservation. In addition, Chevron hosts the annual S. L. Edu Memorial Lecture to promote environmental management awareness.
The General Manager, Policy, Government and Public Affairs, CNL, Esimaje Brikinn, said the company would continue to collaborate with all stakeholders to safeguard the environment.
“We are continually working to improve our processes to reduce pollution and waste, conserve natural resources, and reduce potentially negative environmental impacts of our activities and operations,” he remaked.
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