OKCDB: Gov Okowa commission 34 SPDC projects in Ogulagha kingdom
By Princewill, Ndu
The Executive governor of Delta state, Sen. Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa on Thursday commissioned a total of 34 projects and programmes in Ogulaha kingdom, Burutu Local government of Delta state.
The projects which were executed by Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC), operators of the NNPC/Shell/TEPNG/ AGIP joint ventures under the Global Memorandum of Understanding GMoU, were cited across communities constituting Ogulagha Kingdom Cluster Development Board, OKCDB such as Obotobo1 & 2, Youbebe, Ogulagha, Sokebolou and Youkiri.
The projects ranges from Roads/ bridge construction, building and equiping of several classroom blocks for schools and guest houses in the benefiting communities as well as several electrification projects.
Other projects and programmes that were celebrated include massive investment in human capital development, awards of scholarships to over 200 indigent students of tertiary institutions and Vocational training for over 20 women/ youths to engender self reliance.
Speaking at the commissioning, the Governor, represented by his Commissioner for Oil and Gas, Prince Emmanuel Amgbaduba urged the people to exercise peace for more development, nothing that ”without peace there won’t be any form of development ”
He also assured that his government will continue to promote the use of GMoU in the development of oil bearing communities, ”GMoU promotes unity.” He said
While commending SPDC for giving hope of a better life to the people, He acknowledged that ” Shell have been doing well but there is need to do more, Shell can do better, the government is so happy to see this type of development going on in our oil bearing communities.”
Earlier in his address of welcome, the chairman of Ogulagha Kingdom Cluster Development Board (OKCDB) Chief Linus Yeinanagbegha said, the Ogulagha kingdom is grateful to SPDC and its partners for the GMoU which signaled a new approach in the development of host communities.
”The Ogulagha Kingdom Cluster Development Board ( OKCDB) and the entire members of the the kingdom thanked SPDC and her joint partners for the introduction of the GMoU in our kingdom being a new approach by SPDC to develop host communities ”
While giving a breakdown on completed and ongoing projects in the Kingdom undertaken by SPDC, he appealed to them to do more for the kingdom, saying that ” to whom much is giving, much is expected. ”
In his speech, the external relations manager of SPDC Mr. Igo Weli represented by the installations manager of Forcados terminal, Engr. Arthur Uwadighe disclosed that the ”projects and programs are aimed at promoting the development of infrastructure and human capital development of communities in the cluster. ”
He urged the people and stakeholders to ” speak against sabotage of facilities, nothing that ” wilful damage of company assets like pipelines, is a criminal act that sadly has far reaching negative implications on the people and the environment.
He commended their joint partners for their support in achieving the success, and wished that ” these projects will bring greater values to the communities of Ogulagha Kingdom cluster Board”.
It would be recalled that the event also witnessed award presentation by member of the Ogulagha Kingdom Cluster Development Board the paramount ruler of Ogulagha kingdom, Mrs Mamu-mamu Clara Ibani among others that received the awards.
Highpoint of the event was the cutting of the tape to officially commission the motorable concrete bridge in Obotobo I, by the governor’s representative Chief Emman Ambgaduba flanked by His Royal Majesty, Elder Capt. Joseph I Timiyan (JP), Agbonu, Torububo 1, The Ebezinawei of Ogulagha Kingdom flanked by His Royal Majesty, King Couple Oromoni, Mobene III, Ama-Okosu, the paramount ruler of Ogbe-Ijoh Warri Kingdom, Engr. Arthur Uwadighe and other eminent chiefs of Ogulagha Kingdom.
The event was well attended women and youth groups, who came out en-massè to witness the mega commissioning.
