By Enaibo Asiayei

WARRI – Edjegba community in Warri South Local Government Area of Delta State was, on Thursday, thrown into ecstasy during the inauguration of the 500-meter-long drainage project, funded by Chevron Nigeria Ltd/Nigeria National Petroleum Company Joint Venture (CNL/NNPC JV), to avert perennial flooding in the community.

The project was executed under CNL’s Project Specific Ageement (PSA) and awarded by the Edjeba community to one of its own, Pyrammidt Company Nigeria Ltd in December 2017.

Beneficiaries of the drainage project include not only members of the community, but over 15, 000 users of the Edjeba road linking the NPA Express way.

CNL’s General Manager, Policy, Government and Public Affairs (PGPA), Esimaje Brikinn, during his address, said the project was meant to show CNL/NNPC JV’s efforts to improve the welfare of the people in its area of operations and beyond.

He thanked the Edjeba community and the Delta State government for giving its  approval, managing and creating the enabling atmosphere for the successful execution of the project.

Brikinn, who was represented by CNL PGPA Superintendent, Mr Tony Emegere, stated that “through partnership with the government of Delta State as well as community stakeholders, we have been adding significant values to people’s lives through our Corporate Responsibility and Community Engagement initiatives.

“This is the trail of goodness we leave behind in every community where we operate and we congratulate the Edjeba community for successfully completing this Drainage System Project.”

Representative of the Delta State government at the occasion, Mr S. O. Okujere, who is the Director, Governor’s Office Annexe in Warri, described as heartwarming the commencement and eventual completion of the project.

Okujere noted that the drainage system was the choice of the community ahead of solar-powered borehole, which he said, would have amounted to project duplication since the community already has effective potable water scheme.

He urged other citizens and corporate organizations to emulate the sponsors in improving infrastructure development in host communities.

Meanwhile, the eldest member of Edjeba community otherwise called Unur’ovwodo of Edjeba, High Chief Michael Ikpuri, commended CNL/NNPC JV, Elders and Council of Chiefs and Edjeba community executive led by Kingsley Okekeri for the project’s success.

Pa Ikpuri also urged the drainage project sponsors to lit up the Edjeba road with street lights to ward off criminals from the area, charging CNL to always report crisis situations for prompt resolution.

Leader of the women, Chief (Mrs.) Victoria Powo JP, expressed joy at the completion of the project which she said had halted the perennial flooding in the area.

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