IDCDB:Okowa urge host communities to protect oil facilities, commissions 20 projects in Iduwini kingdom
By Princewill, Samuel
The Executive Governor of Delta State Sen. Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa has urged oil bearing communities to ensure protection of oil facilities within their domain in other to attract more meaningful developmental projects.
The Governor stated this while speaking at the commissioning of 20 projects and programmes in Iduwini Kingdom, Burutu Local Government Area of Delta State on Friday.
The projects were funded by the Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) operator of the NNPC/Shell/TEPN/AGIP joint ventures under the Global Memorandum of Understanding GMoU, and coordinated by the Iduwini Delta Cluster Development Board (IDCDB).
Projects commissioned which comprise several constructed roads, housing units walkways, corpers lodge , community guest house, equipped classrooms, award of scholarships to some students of tertiary institutions and vocational skills acquisition by women and youths were executed in the four communities of Odimodi, Yeye, Forcados and Ofougbene that constitutes the Iduwini Delta Cluster Development Board.
While thanking SPDC for successfully completing the projects, Okowa, represented by Chief Emman Ambgaduba, Commissioner for Oil and Gas noted that the completion was made possible by the prevailing peace in the Niger Delta region and urged the people of Iduwini Kingdom to remain peaceful.
He assured that the governor is committed to the GMoU model, saying ”we will stand by it and make it work for the betterment of our people ”
Commissioner Ambgaduba said as a government, they appreciates efforts made so far in trying to live up to their cooperate social responsibilities by SPDC, appealing that the oil giants should consider engaging more able body young men with the right qualification from the oil bearing communities in its workforce
He urged the people to ensure that facilities of the oil companies are well protected, and also, rather than take laws into their hands, they should channel all perceived grievances to the Ministry of Oil and Gas as all complains will receive due attention.
He said, ” Please continue to protect the oil facilities to attract more business and to attract more projects. When you have issues write to me through the oil and gas ministry , we will look at it, its better than stopping the activities of the company. ”
While giving an address of welcome, the Chairman of Iduwini Delta Cluster Development Board, (IDCDB) Chief Sunny S. Gbegha (JP) disclosed that SPDC solely undertakes the funding of all projects under the GMoU, according to him, SPDC is by the agreement required to pay IDCDB the sum of N300, 000. 000. 00 million in 5 years
He said since the initiative in 2005, SPDC and its partners have successfully executed projects in four cardinal aspects of human capital development, Social infrastructure, Economic empowerment and Community health that is adding value to the host communities
Gbegha, while thanking SPDC for their kind gesture noted that there is always a price to pay on the side of the benefiting communities, he said the price, ” is to protect all oil bearing facilities located in their community.”
Also, in his speech, the external manager of SPDC, Mr.Igo Weli represented by the Installations Manager, Forcados Terminal, Engr. Arthur Uwadighe said that his company is happy with the success recorded in the communities through the Coastal Development Board.
He said ” the CDB’s success with the projects and programmes strengthen our commitment to sustain the GMoU development model as a vehicle for meeting the development needs of the people because it gets all concerned people to be involved in their own development. ”
On the incessant case of facilities vandalism and oil theft, he said ” We must speak up against the theft of crude oil, vandalism and the attendant damage to our environment, he noted that ” sabotage harms the environment and makes the place unsafe for those undertaking the activities. ”
He assured the people that ” If the Iduwini Delta Communities continue to promote peace, safety and growth among themselves and support SPDCs sustained uninterrupted production, there will be many more social investment projects and programmes that will benefit the people.
Highpoint of the ceremony was the cutting of tape to formally commission the Odimodi guest house by the governor’s representative, Chief Emman Ambgaduba, Commissioner for Oil and Gas, Delta State which serves as an extension to the other 19 projects executed by the GMoU assisted by His Royal Majesty, Bosu Dio (JP) Ayamabulou 1. The Paramount ruler of Iduwini Kingdom, Delta State, this was followed up with inspection of facilities inside the guest house.
Ayamabulou assured SPDC, Government of sustaining peace in Iduwini Delta
However, the paramount ruler of Iduwini Kingdom, Burutu Local Government Area of Delta State, His Royal Majesty, Bosu Dio, JP, Ayamabulou 1 had in his remark assured officials of the Shell Petroleum Development Company, SPDC, the Delta State Government and the federal Government of sustaining the peace in Iduwini Kingdom, Delta State.
He had maintained that Iduwini Kingdom in Burutu Local Government Area of Delta State under his traditional rulership has always been one of the most peaceful kingdom in the Niger Delta Region.
An indigene and former president National Association of Odimodi Students, NAOS Comr. Akin Disi who spoke to The Liberator Newspaper after the event could not hide his joy said he was happy to have witnessed such a celebration of laudable projects and programmes that has never taken place in Iduwini Kingdom within the last years, and therefore urged the youths of the community to remain peaceful so that more development will come to the area.
Also present at the event were The Chairman of Burutu Local government, Rt. Hon. Godknows Angele, His Deputy, Chief Combolous Ikisa, Queen of Iduwini Kingdom, Delta State, Mrs. Bosu Dio, Chairman of Odimodi community, Chief Edward Prebor, Pst. Philip Fianka, Chairman of Yeye Community, Comr. Golo Yerin, Chairman of Ofougbene Community, Comr. London Nianta, Chairman of Forcados community, representatives of the Nigerian army and The Nigerian Civil Defence Corp.
Others includes Chiefs of Iduwini kingdom who came out in their numbers to witness the epoch making ceremony, and various women and youth groups as well as a cultural troupe which staged a dance performance to entertain guests.
