Itsekiri RDC steps up advocacy on community development

The Itsekiri Regional Development Committee, IRDC, under the NNPC/Chevron Global Memorandum of Understanding, GMoU, on Friday October 25, stepped up advocacy on community development, with the organization of its maiden town hall meeting at Omadino in Warri South Local Government Area, Delta State.

The meeting was attended by Chief Gabriel Awala, who represented The Olu of Warri, Ogiame Ikenwoli, representatives of the 23 oil and gas producing/impacted communities, under Chevron Nigeria Limited areas of operation in Warri South, Warri South-West and Warri North Local Government Areas, government officials, community leaders as well as IRDC mentoring Non-Governmental Organizations: Participatory Partnerships for Community Development, PPCD and Morgan Smart Development Foundation, MSDF.

L-R: Acting Chairman Omadino Community Trust, Pa. Dickson Thomas Ekpoto, Chief Gabriel Awala,  Pa. Samuel Mene- Olare-Aja of Omadino, Mr. Temieno Asokanmi & Chief Godwin Omatsone

Chairman of IRDC, Amb. Austin Oniyesan in his address, explained that the event was organized to enable the leadership of IRDC, share ideas with relevant stakeholders on, “development that will move our various communities forward and also, to see that IRDC benefit all 23 communities”, under it.

While appreciating leaders of the IRDC Communities for the support given to his executive so far, Amb. Oniyesan thanked Chevron Nigeria Limited, CNL, for her efforts toward development of the Itsekiri oil and gas producing/impacted communities.

From right: Barr. Austin Oboroegbeyi, Prince Moses Fregene, Mr. Mattu Oritsejuremisan & Barr. Richard Omare

Public Relations Officer and Assistant Secretary of IRDC, Messrs Moses Orubu Fregene and Mode Akoma, respectively, spoke extensively on the administration as well as accounting structure of IRDC, noting that the transparency of the process does not give room for financial leakages.

Akoma stressed the need for indigenes of the communities to continually provide the enabling environment for companies and contractors to execute development projects.

The Olu of Warri, Ogaime Ikenwoli, who was represented by the Uwangue of Warri, Chief Gabriel Awala, gave plaudit to the IRDC leadership, for initiating the town hall meeting, emphasizing the need for the community engagement programme to be regular, so as to fast-track the development of Itsekiri communities.

Mr. David Odeli (with the microphone) during the interactive session proper

The Programme Manager of PPCD, Busola Babalola, earlier spoke on the capacity building, institutional spending and resource mobilization roles, played by PPCD under its communication strategy, saying it is geared towards advancing the workings of IRDC.

The interactive forum, provided a veritable platform for community representatives to canvass ways of improving the operations of IRDC, in terms of community development, education of people of the host communities, providing job opportunities and capacity building.

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