DELTA State Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan has described as exemplary the working relationship between Chevron Nigeria Limited, government and its host communities.

Speaking when the outgoing Chairman/Managing Director, of Chevron, Mr. Andrew Fawthrop paid him a farewell courtesy call at the Government House annex, Warri, Dr Uduaghan stated that the oil prospecting company had a good working relationship with government and its host communities.

He therefore recommended the Chevron’s template of memoranda of understanding with the government and host communities to other oil majors and corporate organizations.

Governor Uduaghan described the Escravos gas-to-liquids (EGTL) project as a clear example of Delta State being safe for investment, noting that it succeeded largely because of good understanding between Chevron and government as well as between Chevron and its host communities.

“I have always recommended the good working relationship between Chevron and government and with its host communities as a yardstick for other companies to operate effortlessly,” the governor said, adding: “We achieved results with Escravos gas-to-liquids (EGTL) because of the approach of Chevron.”

He emphasised that the state was very safe for investment asserting: “Any investment you make here will succeed.”

The governor described Mr Fawthrop as a good administrator.

“For us, it is sad that you are living, but, you deserve the rest,” Dr Uduaghan said, adding, “on behalf of my family, the government and people of Delta State I say a big thank you for the relationship between Chevron and government and between Chevron and the host communities.”

Earlier, Mr. Fawthrop said he was retiring based on his age and thanked Governor Uduaghan for creating an enabling environment for business activities to thrive.

While saying that he enjoyed personal relationship with the governor, Mr. Fawthrop stated that the governor brought innovation to the act of governance.

Fawthrop, a 1973 graduate of Geology and Chemistry from the University of London with a Master’s degree in Marine Earth Science, joined Chevron Corporation in 1977 as a Geophysicist.

Fawthrop has put in over 36 years in Chevron’s Upstream and Commercial operations, and has held numerous technical and management positions of increasing responsibility around the world, is retiring as the Chairman/Managing Director of Chevron.