FLOOD: CHEVRON/NNPC JV. INIAGURATES DRAINAGE SYSTEM IN EDJEBA COMMUNITY

Mr Tony Emegere, representative of CNL PGPA general manager, Mr Esimaje Brikinn addressing the people.

 

Chevron Nigeria Limited/Nigeria National Petroleum Company Joint Venture (CNL/NNPC JV) has commissioned a 500 meter long drainage system in Edjeba Community in Warri South Local Government Area to avert perennial flooding of the community.

Commissioning of the project that was chosen by the community instead of a solar-powered borehole threw the entire community into ecstatic mood because it would help avert flooding of roads and homes in the area during rainy seasons.

Speaking during the ceremony, Esimaje Brikinn, General Manager, Policy, Government and Public Affairs(PGPA), Chevron Nigeria Limited (CNL) disclosed that 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 expressed appreciation to Edjeba community and the Delta State government for approval, managing and creating the enabling atmosphere for the successful execution of the project.

According to Brikinn who was represented by Mr. Tony Emegere, Superintendent, Policy, Government and Public Affairs(PGPA), Chevron Nigeria Limited(CNL), “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, Social 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.”

In his comments, Mr. S. O. Okujere, Director, Governor’s Office Annex, Warri who represented Delta State government at the occasion, described the commencement and eventual completion of the project as heart warming.

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

The Delta State Government representative called on Deltans and other corporate organizations to emulate the kind gesture of Chevron Nigeria Limited in improving infrastructural development in host communities.

Also speaking, High Chief Michael Ikpuri, Unu r’ovwodo of Edjeba Community who led elders and Council of Chiefs of the community commended Chevron Nigeria LTD for the project, he also commended elders, Council of Chiefs and the Community executive led by Kingsley Okekeri for the success of the project.

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

The Unu R’vwodo  however,appealed to the community executive to quickly initiate another project, saying that Edjeba was lagging behind in infrastructure development in the comity of communities.

Chief Ikpuri called on CNL/NNPC JV to help provide street lights to light-up Edjeba Road to ward off criminals from the area, he charged the American oil giant to always report crisis situations for prompt resolution.

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 are not only members of the community but over 15, 000 users of the Edjeba Road linking the NPA Express Way.

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

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, adding, “I’m happy now, we have been spared of the perennial flood which always leave in its wake destruction of properties.”.

She spoke further, “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.”

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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