PORT HARCOURT – Host Community Development Trust, (HCDT), Green Energy International Limited, (GEIL) and Lekoil Oil and Gas Investment Limited JV have flagged off the construction of some projects under the five-year Community Development Plan (CDP) in Ugama Ekede, Asuk-ama and Asukoyet communities, Andoni Local Government Area of Rivers State.
The projects were funded from the 3% Operating Expense, stipulated in the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), mandating companies operating in oil producing communities to develop their host communities.
Among the projects to be executed in the first phase of the implementation of the five-year plan include, one kilometer road leading into Ugama Ekede, scholarship and bursary for students in primary, secondary and tertiary schools in the host communities.
Others are a town hall, a box culvert in Asuk-ama and a road project in Asukoyet.
Reacting, the paramount ruler of Asukoyet, King Brown Asuk, commended the Joint Venture Operators and the HCDT for the road project awarded to his community, stating that the absence of motorable roads in the area had been a major challenge for his people.
King Asuk said the lack of motorable road had negatively affected his people, adding that cars and tippers avoid their community because of the state of the bad road.
He said, “By the grace of God all of us are happy to see that the Otakikpo JV is trying. The present road we are flagging off now is funds contributed by the Green Energy/Lekoil JV to the community through the HCDT. It is what we got from the JV that is being used for this road.
“This project is our number one priority. Apart from our house where we run to when it is raining, the road is another important thing any community needs.
“The road has affected us in so many ways. Sometimes ordinary sand, somebody will have little money to build a house, but no tipper will agree to come and bring in sand for you because there is no road. If this road is completed it will restore hope and bring progress in the community”.
The Chairman, Ugama Ekede Council of Chiefs, Hon. Gad Harry Ekpirikpo, stressed the importance of the road project to the community and urged the contractor to ensure that it was delivered according to the expected standard and in record time, noting that at the end, the community would also want the HCDT to complete the community town hall.
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Speaking on behalf of the community women, Mrs Cordelia Elijah, also expressed excitement over the flagging off of the road project in the area, but insisted that it must be the major road leading to the community.
She said it was the first time the riverine community would see a tarred road, urging the companies to ensure that they construct the road based on specifications.
The HCDT under the Green Energy International Limited and Lekoil JV, assured that it would not disappoint the communities in delivering the proposed projects flagged off in their areas.
Chairman Board of Trustees of the HCDT, Nathan Asuk, represented at the event by Dr. Metong Amakiri, said the projects, nominated by the communities, would be delivered to the people according to the specified terms.
He said: “We are here for brief interaction with the communities and to flag off the first phase of the road projects. We are all partners in community development. We have no reason not to develop our communities.
“The project was nominated by this community and the contractor chosen through a transparent process. Our duty is to ensure that the project is executed. We urge the contractors to ensure that the project is delivered based on specifications and on time.
“Our people are hungry for development, especially, like this road. We will not betray the community. Please, feel free, if any contractor tries to deviate or abandon the project, please our doors are open to receive your reports.
Speaking for New Nigeria Foundation, NNF, partners to the JV, Mr. Eyitope Aremu, tasked the communities on unity and peace for the success of the projects.
Mr. Aremu, who led the Needs Assessment processes in the communities, also urged the community to own the projects, monitor and protect them, adding that, as stipulated in the PIA, the projects to be executed were chosen by the communities through a transparent process.
“It is a five-year development plan for the community and they are starting with the roads and other projects. PIA is a law and not an agreement. So, there are processes. We did not started since, because there are processes to put in place before implementation starts. All the set laws were followed so that nobody goes against the law,” he explained.
