Dodo River Communities Rural Development Association otherwise known as Dodo RDC is a community based Organization (CBO) established in 2005 for the sustainable development of five communities of Ekeremor Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, Niger Delta region of Nigeria in order to pursue health care, education and human capital development of the communities. The five communities are Amatu I, Amatu II, Bilabiri I, Bilabiri II and Bisangbene. Dodo RDC was registered as a Legal entity with Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) on 11th June, 2010 with registration number: CAC/IT/No 38386.
Dodo RDC has an executive board led by the chairman who provides the overall direction in project planning and governance. It is constituted as an organization of twenty-five members drawn from the five members’ communities with executive members of six persons. The Chairman, Vice Chairman; Secretary; Financial Secretary; Treasurer; PRO are part of the executive council members in their various leadership.
Our Vision:
To transform communities in the Niger Delta in the areas of improved health, quality education and human capital development.
Our Mission:
To address the development needs of communities in Bayelsa state, especially Dodo River communities through sustainable programmes and projects in the areas of health, education and human capital development.
Our Objectives:
The main objective of Dodo RDC is to support the development and empowerment of the impoverished communities in the Niger Delta Area of Bayelsa State, Nigeria; through intervention projects that addresses poverty reduction and the development of the five Dodo communities to improve the standard of living of the people.
Our Programming Areas include:
- Human capital development through capacity building programmes
- Health care intervention programmes
- Education intervention projects through small infrastructure projects and the provision of scholarships and bursary awards to children and youths in the communities
- Community empowerment and development programmes
Our Beneficiaries and Target Communities:
The main beneficiaries of the Dodo RDC projects and programs cut across men, women, youth and children covering the five communities of Amatu I, Amatu II, Bilabiri I, Bilabiri II and Bisangbene Communities of Bayelsa State in Nigeria.
Our Efforts thus far at Ensuring Sustainable Development to Our Target Communities:
As a common victims of the ecological disaster occasioned by the incessant Oil prospecting, exploration and exploitation by multinational oil companies and its concomitant environmental degradation, loss of means of livelihood and health hazard in the oil producing communities of Ekeremor Local Government area of Bayelsa state, it has become imperative for the Communities and other stakeholders to embark on practical innovative mechanism for sustainable development of the area. Dodo RDC have therefore since inception carried out some projects in ensuring sustainable development of the communities.
History
The need for a better community relationship in the oil operational areas with Chevron Nigeria Limited (CNL) brought about the introduction of Global Memorandum of Understanding (GMoU) which altered the existence of Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) which was based on Community Engagement.
In the Community Engagement Concept- MOU (Memorandum of Understanding), individuals of host communities signs an Agreement with Chevron Nigeria Limited which was based on direct and individual dealings. The problems and difficulties encountered under this concept made the concept hard to be implemented. Funds that were not utilized at the end of a financial year were sent back to NAPIMS- subsidiary of Nigeria National Petroleum Corporations awaiting another budgetary approval and that delayed the delivery of a lot of projects.
However, this new concept (Global Memorandum of Understanding) ensures that communities come together under the umbrella of Regional Development Committee (RDC). This Regional Development Committee is directly responsible for the management of the funds and development of the communities. They are responsible for the planning and implementation of development projects in the area. For the purpose of registering with Corporate Affairs Commission, these Regional Development Committees’ are now having various names.
On the 24th day of October, 2005, Dodo River Communities under the name Dodo River Regional Development Council signed the Global Memorandum of Understanding (GMoU) with full participation and support of the Bayelsa State Government as partners which was expected to be renewed after four years. And we must be sincere to inform the world that Chevron Nigeria Ltd has kept to that agreement with minor increment in funding despite failing to fulfill the two years funding review as agreed in the last two GMoUs.
This concept that replaced the MOU brought a wider governance structure which includes oversight functions, transparency, accountability, peace building, etc. The designing, implementing and management of planned development programmes became the responsibility of the Regional Development Councils with Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and professional experts giving their technical support and assistance.
The sense of ownership is now gradually been built into the Rural Development Association (RDA) in managing the system by the concept of the Global Memorandum of Understanding GMoU.
CLICK ON THE LINKS BELOW TO DOWNLOAD
Overview of the GMoU
What is GMoU?
- A comprehensive agreement between Chevron Nigeria Limited (CNL) and the Regional Development Council (RDC) (a group of communities) within a geographical area.
- Signed by RDC (on behalf of communities), CNL & State Govt.
- It specifies CNL’s activities, benefits to communities in terms of development and other basis for relationship over a period of time (3 years)
- It is part of sustainable community development efforts of CNL
- It specifies how CNL would relate with communities in their area of operation
- Involves several stakeholders in its implementation
- It has a governance structures with committees
Objectives of GMoU
- Participatory Partnership
- To encourage CNL and RDC to work with the State Govt and other stakeholders (NGOs, NDDC, Development Organizations etc.)
- To partner for the promotion of Development, Peace & Security
- Transparency and Accountability
- To encourage the parties to operate open & accountable system through the implementation of the governance model of the GMoU
- Capacity Building
- To transfer responsibility and accountability to the RDC with respect to planning and execution of development projects/programs
- RDC to own and manage their own development programs
- To help community members gain and develop relevant skills
- Safety, Security and Rule of Law
- To jointly promote safe and secure environment within and around the communities
- To help CNL fulfill its business goals
- Community Empowerment and Sustainable Development
- To assist the RDC in its efforts to peacefully lead the communities
- To assist RDC in its quest for economic development
- Improved relationship between CNL and RDC
- To promote a harmonious relationship between the communities and CNL
Major Stakeholders
- Signatories to agreement
- RDC, CNL & State Government
- Signatories to the Project Accounts
- RDC, CNL, State Government
- Members of GMoU Committees Funds provided by Chevron Nigeria Limited (CNL)
- RDC, CNL, State Government, NDDC, NGOs, NAPIMS, Local Governments
Functions of Dodo River Communities Rural Development Association
Though not limited to the following, the functions of the RDA are;
- To provide transparent and accountable governance
- To strengthen member communities to initiate, design and implement their own development agenda
- To initiate, implement and promote sustainable development, peace and security in corporation with other stakeholders.
- To attract other donor organizations to invest in the GMoU process
- To foster unity among member communities
Our Partners
Our Partners include:
1. Participatory Partnership for Community Development (PPCD)
PPCD is an initiative of Chevron Nigeria Limited (CNL), the operator of the NNPC/Chevron Joint Venture. It was established to build the capacity of the Regional Development Councils (RDCs) to enable them effectively implement the Global Memorandum of Understanding (GMoU), a tripartite agreement on community development which CNL entered into with the communities and state governments in the areas where it does business in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria. www.accorddev.org
The PPCD programme implementation is led by the New Nigeria Foundation (NNF), a front line community development NGO based in Lagos. Other support NGOs working with the NNF in the implementation of the PPCD programme include: Niger Delta Professionals for Development (NIDPRODEV), Morgan Smart Development Foundation (MSDF) and Accord for Community Development (ACD).
PPCD operations office is located at Plot 38 Johnson Duku Crescent, Effurun GRA, Warri, Delta State. http://ppcdng.org/new/index.php
2. NNPC/Chevron Nigeria Limited Joint Venture
Learn about Chevron Nigeria Limited, their vision and mission, their operational methods and relationship with host communities. www.chevron.com & www.nnpcgroup.com
3. Foundation for Partnership Initiatives in the Niger Delta
PIND is part of a new form of public and private sector collaboration, which represents exciting opportunities to produce unique development partnerships that can make a difference. www.pindfoundation.net
4. Bayelsa State Government
Learn about Bayelsa State. www.bayelsa.gov.ng
