Mkpoikana Udoma
Port Harcourt— Communities playing host to Chevron Nigeria Limited, CNL, in Ekeremor Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, at the weekend, commissioned projects worth N141.65million, which was funded by the Chevron/NNPC JV.
The benefiting communities under the auspices of Dodo River Communities Development Association, DRCDA, include Amatu I, Amatu II, Bilabiri I, Bilabiri II and Bisangbene.
The projects commissioned by the association include the building and furnishing of Bilabiri I Primary School, water treatment projects, construction of concrete roads, provision of twin engine speedboats.
Others are, provision of communications and public address systems, provision of plastic chairs, tables and canopies for the communities, amongst others.
Speaking at the event, the Permanent Secretary Bayelsa State Ministry of Mineral Resources, Mr Okebia Keku, commended the association for the prudent use of the funds.
Keku said that the Global Memorandum of Understanding (GMoU) development template which the government oversees, gives communities greater participation in the selection and execution of development projects.
Also speaking, Chairman of the Association, Mr Berry Negerese, disclosed that the projects were executed with GMoU funds provided between 2016 and 2019, adding that paucity of funds delayed the Dodo secretariat building project.
Negerese said the introduction of the GMoU approach by CNL has enhanced the development of Niger Delta communities, as communities now drive projects funded by oil firms in a transparent manner.
He urged the oil firm to extend community employment opportunities to Dodo River communities, especially in its Agbami offshore oilfields, as well as assist the Association with funds to furnish the secretariat to enable them put it to optimal use.
For his part, the King of Iduwini Kingdom in Ekeremor LGA, King Joel Ibane, commended CNL/NNPC JV for the gesture and appealed to the oil firm to sustain its development activities in its host communities.