By Ebi Oboko & Loveth Ojogun
The Egbema Gbaramatu Communities Development Foundation (EGCDF), a Community Based Organisation sponsored by the NNPC/Chevron Nigeria Limited (CNL) Joint Venture, together with the Delta state government, on April 15, 16 and 20, 2021 commissioned eleven (11) infrastructural projects in Egbema and Gbaramatu Kingdoms of Warri North and Warri South West Local Government Areas of Delta State respectively.
At the highpoint of the commissioning event, on 20th of April 2021, at the EGCDF Secretariat Effurun Warri, Esimaje Brikinn, General Manager, Policy, Government and Public Affairs expressed the delight of his company in partnering with EGCDF for community development. In his words: “Everywhere we work, we demonstrate ethical, environmentally-responsible, safe and respectful business practices. We also contribute to the achievement of the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). As we would say, we are in the business of progress.”
“Our primary contribution is by safely developing and delivering affordable and reliable energy that is necessary for social and economic progress. We also contribute through our work in protecting people and the environment and by investing in health, education and economic development” he said.
Esimaje, represented by Sam Daibo, Area Manager Policy, Government and Public Affairs Field Operations, also thanked the Delta state government for its support; “The NNPC/CNL Joint Venture values the support of the government of Delta State over the years in creating an enabling environment for our operations and activities in the State and also for the smooth implementation of our GMoU and other Social Investment programs.”
In his own response, Comrade Jude Ukori, Chairman of EGCDF, appreciated CNL for sponsoring the projects, which cost over five hundred and sixty four million Naira (N564 million).
He called on the Ijaw oil and gas producing Communities of Egbema and Gbaramatu Kingdoms to protect the assets of CNL which has been EGCDF’s sole source of funding. “I must mention that our sole source of fund remains CNL/NNPC Joint Venture. Therefore we honestly owe them an obligation to secure their facilities in our domains and provide an enabling environment for their smooth operations. We commend them for their steadfast commitment to the annual donation of funds to meet our developmental needs and in driving the GMoU process” he reiterated.
In the same vein, Pott Johnson Reginald, Delta state Coordinator ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, commended the Management of EGCDF for executing the projects. Pott, who said he went round the communities with the commissioning team, attested to the quality of the projects and the fact that they were fully completed before their commissioning.
Comrade Jude Ukori listed the commissioned projects to include: 300 meters concrete road project at Benikrukru community; staff quarters building project at Azama community; three bedrooms bungalow building project at Olukperebu community; cottage hospital renovation and ancillary work at Oporoza community plus the renovation of two concrete jetties and construction of waiting sheds and radio house at Kokodiagbene Community- all in Gbaramatu Kingdom in Warri South West Council Area of Delta State.
Others are 400 meter concrete walkway project at Opuama community; concrete jetty project at Abadigbene community; 250 meter concrete walkway project at Itagbene community; three- bedroom bungalow project at Ogbinbiri community and water project at Adagbarasa community- all in Egbema kingdom in Warri North Local Government Area of Delta State. There is also the fencing, construction of gatehouse and landscaping of EGCDF secretariat complex Effurun, Warri.
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