Flood: CNL/NNPC JV inaugurates drainage system in Edjeba community

Edjeba community in Warri South Local Government Area of Delta State, was on Thursday, September 27 thrown into ecstasy during the inauguration of a drainage system constructed to avert perennial flooding in the community.

The 500-meter-long drainage project, funded by Chevron Nigeria Ltd/Nigeria National Petroleum Company Joint Venture (CNL/NNPC JV), was the choice  of the community between solar-powered borehole and the drainage system to address persistent flooding of the Edjeba road and homes during rainy seasons.

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 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.

He urged members of the community to maintain the facility, adding that "the effectiveness of a drainage system is dependent on the maintenance of the system.

"It is our hope that the drains would be kept clear of silt and dirt at all times so as to ensure that the excess water is always carried away."

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

He appreciated CNL/NNPC JV's commitment to its social responsibility to host communities by giving back through projects which are targeted at improving the social condition of members.

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 Edjabe community executive led by Kingsley Okekeri for the project's success.

High Chief Ikpuri was accompanied by other chiefs including Chief Isaac Emifoye, Chief Francis Ikpuri, the Olotu of Agbarha kingdom and Chief Felix Tughele Ogri, among others.

He, however, appealed to the community executive to quickly initiate another project, saying the Edjeba was lagging behind in infrastructure development the the comity of communities.

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.

The occasion was graced by women of the community who entertained guests with a cultural performance.

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.

"I'm happy because when water was over flooding the place, it destroyed many things so with this drainage, water will not over flood Edgeba again.

"We are very happy, we thank God, we give him all the glory and honour. We pray that all other oil companies will be doing like this for their host communities," Chief Powo enthused.

Other projects sponsored by CNL for non-GMoU communities around CNL's Warri Office include e-library at Ubeji, Ekpan Women Development Centre, Ekpan Surgical Theatre/Call Rooms project, Aruakpor-Umah Road Electricity project, Osubi Solar Powered Water project and NYSC Science Teachers' program at Ekpan Secondary School, among others.

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