IJAWS, across Egbema and Gbaramatu communities in Delta State, were ecstatic during the week when no fewer than nine infrastructural projects worth N382.6 million were inaugurated by the Joint Venture of the Chevron Nigeria Ltd (CNL) and Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).
The projects executed in the riverine communities of Warri South West Local Government Area, included a 500-metre and 150-metre separate Access Walkways at Opuama, 10-room guest houses at Ogbinbiri and Akekoromo Zion.
Others were a concrete landing Jetty and access walkway to the palace of Pere of Gbaramatu at Oporoza, rigid pavement and drain extension at Benekrukru, six room public toilet project at Kunukunuma, 30-room hostel block at Okerenkoko as well as the EGCDF Secretariat Annex at Effurun.
The fleet of projects was funded by CNL/NNPC JV and was implemented by the Egbema-Gbaramatu Communities Development Foundation (EGCDF) under the Global Memorandum of Understanding (GMoU) programme.
The General Manager, Policy, Government and Public Affairs (PGPA), CNL, Mr Esimaje Brikinn, described the achievement as an expression of the determination of the Regional Development Committee to better the lives of folks across the communities.
Mr Brikinn, who was represented by Mr Tony Emegere, disclosed that CNL has invested N5.56 billion in EGCDF since inception in 2005, expressing satisfaction that the EGCDF has sustained the addition of significant values to the lives of the people.
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He recalled that in 2017, seven infrastructural projects worth N278. 4 million were executed in five communities of the two kingdoms.
Chairman of EGCDF, Comrade Ebitimi Ukori, in his separate remarks during the three-day inauguration event, affirmed that the developmental projects are driven by the people themselves.
He said the projects would provide great relief to the riverine people in the areas of transportation, access roads, health, shelter, water hygiene and sanitation as well as improvement of tourism potentials.
While commending CNL for funding the various developmental projects in the riverine communities, the EGCDF boss called on the Federal Government, Delta State government and developmental and interventionist agencies to join the foundation in developing the Ijaw creeks.
Meanwhile, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa has lauded the EGCDF for judicious and prudent execution of the nine projects in the communities.
Okowa, who was represented by the Commissioner for Urban Renewal, Chief Julius Takeme throughout the three-day inauguration ceremony, urged beneficiaries of the projects to use and maintain them well.
Takeme expressed satisfaction to the fact that the EGCDF has put an end to the culture of some individuals cornering the commonwealth of the people as it was before its establishment.
He, however, noted that from what he observed during the trip to Opuama, Egbema kingdom deserves more governmental attention in respect of developmental projects and promised to intimate Gov Okowa.
Speaking at his palace in Oporoza, His Royal Majesty (HRM), Oboro Gbaraun 11, Aketekpe, Agadagba, appreciated the efforts of CNL and EGCDF.
“We praise Chevron for what they’ve done for our kingdoms. CNL has tried. We thank EGCDF and the Delta State government,” HRM Agadagba enthused.
The CNL team, who was at the two kingdoms of Egbema and Gbaramatu on Wednesday and Thursday to inaugurate the various projects amid a serene and peaceful atmosphere, was led by Team Lead of GMoU, Mr Emmanuel Emeribe,
Others were Mr Kayode Adeboye of CNL PGPA, a representative of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Engr O. Mattu, two journalists and photographers.
Highlights of the three-day event, which ended on Friday in Warri, was the inauguration of the new EGCDF secretariat and the certification of 19 agripreneurs trained by IITA and sponsored by CNL.
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