By Sunday Apah/Ughelli
Barr. Mike Igini, Mr. Otive Igiebor and Chief Francis Okumagba at Atamu social club 1st Pan Urhobo International Conference at Petroleum Training Institute, Effurun.
THE EGBEMA/Gbaramatu Communities Development Foundation on August 15 and 16 went on a familiarization tour to Kunukunuma, Oporaza, Kenyangbene, Benikrukru, Okerenkoko, Kokodiagbene and Okoyitoru communities for the purpose of consultation aimed at effective and efficient planning.
Chairman of the Egbema/Gbaramatu Communities Development Foundation, Chief Michael Johnny who spoke during the familiarization visit, told members of the communities that after their election on April 2, they have not been able to reach out to the people hence the tour.
He said, “It has been our great desire to visit you for the purpose of consultation aimed at effective and efficient planning. We count on your robust ideologies and feelings for a result oriented administration. Obviously, there is time and season for everything on earth. I promised that this administration would serve you selflessly via consultative mechanisms.
“I will build on the foundation of my predecessors by location of projects across the affected communities through building of capital intensive projects, sand filling, land reclamation, electricity, water and health care as well as income generating projects. We will also update our existing programmes of Micro Credit Scheme, Scholarship Scheme, Employment, Peace Building, Medical Intervention Programme and Skill Acquisition Programme.
“In a bid to actualize our enviable dreams, we shall be looking beyond Chevron Nigeria Limited funding to engage other interventionist agencies, international donor agencies, government departments and NGOs for sustainable partnership
“Safeguarding facilities of the oil servicing companies in our area is our responsibility. We should not involve ourselves with criminal activities that will hinder our negotiation with the oil servicing companies around. I want to appeal to parents to advice their children against pipeline vandalization and other activities that are inimical to development”.
Earlier at Oporoza community, the EGCDF chairman, Chief Michael Johnny frowned at the slow pace of the construction of the walkway at the Cottage Hospital. He ordered the contractor handling the job to mobilize back or risk revocation of the contract.
Mr. Felix Odiki, chairman Kunukunuma community, Chief Jeffrey Ojogun, Chairman, Benikrukru community, Mr. Amami Ebimene, Chairman, Oporoza community, Mr. Humphrey Bibogha, Chairman, Kenyangbene community, Elder Samson Teide, Chairman, Kokodiagbene community, Chief James Tangbowei, Chairman, Okerenkoko community and Pa Wellington Ometan, leader Okoyitoru community who spoke in same vein on behalf of their communities assured the EGCDF members that they would not indulge in activities that would hinder development in the area.