WARRI – The Delta State government has tasked other stakeholders in the private sector to borrow a leaf from the NNPC / CHEVRON Joint Venture initiative in supporting the government’s developmental agenda on education.
The Delta State Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Barr. Chinedu Ebie who was represented by Mr. Paul Okpala a staff in the ministry, gave the charge during the commissioning / handover of the NNPC / Chevron Joint Venture sponsored solar-powered water project at Osubi, Okpe Local Government Area.
According to the Commissioner, the Okowa-led administration places high premium on education, and as such the government is pleased with what NNPC / CHEVRON Joint Venture is doing to support the government in this direction.
Describing NNPC/CNL JV as partners in progress with the state government, Dr Adum enjoined the community leadership to set up a Water Consumers Association which will take ownership of the facility to maintain and manage it.
The solar-powered water project , which is the first of its kind in the locality, was sunk in the premises of the Osubi Primary and Secondary Schools which hitherto had no good source of portable water since it was established.
In his address, the General Manager, Policy, Government and Public Affairs ( PGPA ), Mr. Esimaje Brikinn disclosed that, through the Global Memorandum of Understanding (GMoU), the NNPC/Chevron Joint Venture has expended over N19.9 billion on about 600 programmes in communities around its area of operation.
Mr. Sam Daibo, CNL , PGPA Area Manager , Field Operations, who represented Mr. Brikinn, added that the partnership the joint venture has with the Delta State government and its host communities in the areas of health, education and social amenities, has improved the people’s quality of life.
Speaking further, Mr. Brikinn said the N19.9 billion, had provided scholarships, built schools, medical facilities, housing and supported agriculture development and infrastructure improvements.
He noted that the water facility was a further demonstration of the efforts of the NNPC/CNL JV to improve the life and welfare of the people in the area of the company’s operations in the state.
Commissioner for Water Resources, Sir Fidelis Tilije, who was represented by Dr Mrs Felicia Adum, lauded CNL for bringing the water project near pupils to avert water-borne diseases.
The principal of Osubi Secondary School, the direct beneficiary of the water facility, Mrs Eunice Efoechuku, in her remarks, lauded Chevron and its partners for the provision, describing it as first of its kind in the entire Effurun – Warri area.
She said , that the facility would save the school management much stress in providing water for staff and students for drinking, sanitation and irrigation.
Spokesperson for the Osubi community, Mr Paul Erugbono, thanked Chevron for adhering strictly to the Local Content Policy of the Federal Government.
They urged the entire Osubi community to take ownership of the water facility, maintain and protect it from vandalism.
The project’s components include solar panels, a solar submersible pump, overhead holding tanks, six dispensing taps and a perimeter fence.
Highlights of the colourful event were the cutting of the tape and unveiling of the plaque by Dr Mrs Adum.
Other projects currently undertaking by NNPC/CNL JV, include Ekpan Women Development Centre, e-Library at Ubeji, Mother & Child Hospital in Sapele and the recently commissioned Edjeba Solar Powered Water Project.
