OIL and gas giant, Chevron Nigeria Ltd (CNL), operator of the NNPC/Chevron Joint Venture, under the Global Memorandum of Understanding (GMoU) model, has inaugurated multimillion naira infrastructural projects in Egbema/Gbaramatu communities of Warri North and Warri South-West local government areas of Delta State.
The inauguration elicited palpable ecstatic moments among natives of the benefitting communities as no lesser than N278.4m was expended on the projects.
The projects included Concrete Jetty/Walking Shed and Walkway at Azama (Sunny Zion) in Egbema Kingdom, renovated Egbema Heritage Guest House, Egbema Staff Quarters at Opuede, Gbaramatu Kingdom, and a 0.3km Road (rigid pavement/drains) at Benikrukru, Gbaramatu Kingdom.
Others were an Examination Hall and a Laboratory Block at Kokodiagbene Model Secondary School as well as a 0.9km road project and rigid pavement/drains at Gbaramatu kingdom.
The Chairman of Egbema Gbaramatu Communities’ Development Foundation (EGCDF), Comrade Jude Ebitimi Ukori during the inauguration disclosed that his administration which took over leadership barely six months ago was able to execute and complete the projects.
He commended CNL and its joint venture partners for funding EGCDF, but solicited an improved funding of the EGCDF.
Comrade Ukori, who appealed to the federal, state governments and major NGOs to assist CNL in the funding of projects in the Delta Ijaw coastal communities, admonished Egbema/Gbaramatu indigenes to maintain the peace in order to attract more projects.
While disclosing that the EGCDF has completed two cottage hospitals in Oporoza and Tsekelewu communities in Gbaramatu and Egbema, Ukori lamented their non-operational state due to delay in deployment of medical personnel to the facilities.
Delta State governor, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa who was represented by his Chief Staff, Chief Tam Brisibe, stressed the need for the sustenance of peace by the leadership of EGCDF in order to attract more developmental projects.
The governor lauded the NNPC/Chevron Joint Venture for executing the projects, promising that the state government would work towards the take-over of the cottage hospitals.
Meanwhile, the General Manager, Policy, Government and Public Affairs (PGPA) CNL, Mr Esimaje Brikinn, lauded the achievements of the company in its areas of operation since the beginning of the GMoU model in 2005.
He disclosed that over N3 billion has been expended on 116 projects by EGCDF since its inception.
Mr Brikinn, who was represented by the PGPA Superintendent, Warri, Tony Emegere, stated that the inauguration of more projects was a clear evidence of EGCDF’s determination to transform Chevron’s host communities.
According to him, over N460 million has gone into the provision of scholarships and N44 million into micro credit programme, adding that the highest point of GMoU’s success is putting the host communities on the driver’s seat in developmental needs.