It was excitement throughout Egbema/Gbaramatu communities of Warri North and Warri South-West local government areas of Delta State, recently as Chevron Nigeria Ltd (CNL), under the Global Memorandum of Understanding (GMoU) model, inaugurated multimillion naira infrastructural projects.
Business Hilights recalls that CNL is the operator of the NNPC/Chevron Joint Venture, in the area.
The need-driven projects amounting to over N278.4m 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 inlcude 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.
In his praises-laden goodwill message at the commissioning, the Chairman of Egbema Gbaramatu Communities’ Development Foundation (EGCDF), Comrade Jude Ebitimi Ukori said his administration which took over leadership barely six months ago was able to execute and complete the projects.
While commending the creative intelligence of Chevron in articulating GMoU as a model of community relations and development, Ukori solicited an improved funding of the EGCDF.
He also appealed to the federal, state governments and major NGOs to assist CNL in the funding of projects in Ijaw coastal communities, and advised owners of the projects to continue to maintain peace, saying “Peace is the key driver of developments”.
He was however worried on the non deployment of medical personnel to two completed cottage hospitals in Oporoza and Tsekelewu communities in Gbaramatu and Egbema.
Earlier in his remarks, Delta State governor, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa, 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.
Okowa who lauded the NNPC/Chevron Joint Venture for executing the projects, gave assurance that the state government would work towards the take-over of the cottage hospitals for better management and maintenance.
In his keynote address, the General Manager, Policy, Government and Public Affairs (PGPA) at CNL, Mr Esimaje Brikinn, he listed the social investment exploits of Chevron in its areas of operation since the beginning of the GMoU community development model in 2005.
According to him, over N3 billion has been expended on 116 projects by EGCDF since its inception.
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 change the lives of indigenes forever.
He recalled that well over N460 million has gone into the provision of scholarships and N44 million into micro credit programme, adding that GMoU’s success story is standing on community ownership of projects.
