Itsekiri Oil and Gas CDC inaugurates 72 projects, targets sand-filling of coastal communities

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The Itsekiri Oil and Gas Producing /Impacted Communities Development Committee, IPCDC, popularly known as IRDC on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday November 23, 24 and 25, respectively, commissioned 72 projects worth over one billion Naira (N1,000,000,000).

The projects; a 0.6 kilometres walkway, with a ‘river crossing bridge’ at Tisun Community in Warri North Local Government Area, Health Centre at Bateren in Warri South-West Local Government Area and 70 Housing Units of 2-bedroom bungalows, were spread across the 23 Itsekiri Coastal and Upland Communities, under the GMoU Governance Model of the NNPC/Chevron Nigeria Limited JV.

Front view of the 0.6 kilometres walkway, with a ‘river crossing bridge’ at Tisun Community, Warri North LGA

A break-down of some of  the housing units, showed that Aja-Mita Community got 2 units of two bedroom detached bungalows, Ebrohimi Community; 5 units of two bedroom detached bungalows, Gbokoda Community; 5 units of two bedroom detached bungalows, Jakpa Community; 4 units of two bedroom detached bungalows, Tebu Community; 4 units of two bedroom detached  bungalows, Sagharatie Community; 2 units of two bedroom detached bungalows, Usor Community; 2 units of two bedroom detached bungalows and Ureju Community; 3 units of two bedroom detached bungalows, all in Warri North Local Government Area.

Oval view of the commissioned 5 Housing units at Ode-Ugborodo, Warri South-West LGA

Other housing unit projects commissioned were; five units of 2-bedroom bungalows at Ajudaibo Community; 5 units of 2-bedroom bungalows at Ugbolegin Community; 4 units of 2-bedroom bungalows at Ijaghalla Community; 5 units of 2-bedroom bungalows at Ogidigben Community; 5 units of 2-bedroom bungalows at Ode-Ugborodo Community; 4 units of 2-bedroom bungalows at Madangho Community, 2 units of 2-bedroom bungalows at Ugboegungun  Community, all in Warri South-West Local Government Area as well as 15 units of 2-bedroom bungalows at Omadino in Warri South Local Government Area.

Chairman of Itsekiri Oil and Gas Producing/Impacted Communities Development Committee, IPCDC, Amb. Austin Oniyesan, who spoke to newsmen Thursday November 25 at the conclusion of the 3-day commissioning exercise, disclosed plans to address the issue of sand-filling of Itsekiri riverine communities, under IPCDC in the next projects’ circle.

Whilst acknowledging that the next challenge for his leadership of IPCDC, would be equipping the just commissioned Health Centre at Bateren and handing over same to the Delta State government for proper operation, Amb. Oniyesan, urged communities that benefited from the 72 projects to secure them appropriately, saying it will encourage IPCDC to more.

He thanked the NNPC/Chevron Joint Venture for their support and appealed for more financial in-flow.

Amb. Austin Oniyesan, fielding questions from newsmen, shortly after the commissioning at Omadino

Fresh Angle International  can report that Secretary of Itsekiri Oil and Gas Producing/Impacted Communities Development Committee, IPCDC, Richard Omare Esq., in an interview, described the 3-day commissioning of projects as a harvest of projects, after the necessary needs’ assessment.

The newly commissioned health centre at Bateren, Warri South-West LGA

In an address, the General Manager, Policy, Government and Public Affairs, PGPA, Chevron Nigeria Limited, Mr. Esimaje Brikinn, said the projects were products of partnership.

According to him, the IPCDC, funded by the NNPC/CNL Joint Venture, partnering with the Delta State Government and other stakeholders, had executed several projects to improve the quality of life of the people in the communities, insisting, “this is another example of such activities”.

Mr. Brikinn, who was represented by the Area Manager PGPA Field Operations, CNL, Mr. Sam Daibo, stated: “We thank the Delta State Government for always supporting the GMoU. These projects, comprising seventy (70) housing units, a walkway and a townhall, are part of our contributions to help IPCDC in meeting the objective of enhancing sustainable development in its constituent communities. CNL is proud to be part of this. We believe that our business success is tied to the progress and prosperity of the communities where we work.

From left: Barr. Ada Val Arenyeka, Dr. Austin Uroye, Mr. Sam Daibo, Mr. Godwin Oziboro, Amb. Austin Oniyesan, Prince Moses Fregene & others

“Everywhere we work, we demonstrate ethical, environmentally responsible, safe and respectful business practices.  As we would say, we are in the business of driving human progress. Our primary contribution is in safely developing and delivering affordable and reliable energy that is necessary for social and economic progress.

“It would interest you to note that, CNL has continuously invested in the GMoU since its inception in 2005. This investment has led to the successful implementation of hundreds of projects and programs in the areas of Health, Education and Economic Development that have provided scholarships; built new schools, medical facilities and housing; and supported the development of agriculture and improvement of infrastructure. 

“The greatest success of the GMoU, however, is in meeting its objectives by making communities take a lead role in their own development and ensuring significant empowerment and capacity building opportunities come to our people.

“It is important to note that community development can only be sustained in an atmosphere of peace that is conducive for business activities.  As we all know, a key element of the GMoU is Peace Building which creates a platform for all stakeholders to address conflicts through dialogue without allowing them to degenerate into disruptive situations.

“In partnership with all relevant stakeholders, we will continue to navigate the changes currently on-going in the oil and gas sector and support the development of the communities.  Our desire is to continue to have an open, honest and transparent relationship with the government and the communities where we operate.

“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. This support is critical to the sustenance of the process.  Let me add that without the active support of our senior partners NNPC, represented by NAPIMS, the GMoU model could never have achieved the success that we are all celebrating today. Today and always, we appreciate the NNPC for supporting all our Social Investment programs.       

“We are also grateful to His Majesty; the Olu of Warri, other community leaders and people of Itsekiri communities where we operate for their commitment and support in actualizing the objectives of the GMoU.

“As a company, we remain committed to enhancing the partnership with the communities neighbouring our operations. I am confident therefore that our communities will continue to ensure peaceful environment for business activities so that all the stakeholders will continue to benefit from CNL’s operations in Delta State”.

In a message, the Group General Manager, National Petroleum Investment Management Services, NAPIMS, Mr. Bala Wunti, said NAPIMS was pleased to be a part of the commissioning of the 72 projects.

Mr. Bala Wunti, who was represented by Mr. Emmanuel Ayuba, noted: The implementation of the projects is fruit of partnership. This is a very good way of working, because Government alone cannot solve all the communities’ problems. I applaud this achievement and encourage even more of such collaborations in the future.

“Let me specially commend the efforts of our partners, CNL, the government of Delta State and the community leaders, in creating an enabling environment for oil and gas operations and activities in the State. I will urge you all to continue to maintain peace in the area”.

The Chairman of Tisun Community Management Council, Prince David Odeli and an indigene of Bateren Community, Emmanuel Esimaje, commended the management of Chevron Nigeria Limited and IPCDC for successfully executing the projects.

From Left: Prince Emiko Ejoh, Prince David Odeli, Amb. Austin Oniyesan, Mr. Itse Orugboh & others

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