Warri – The perennial flooding usually experienced by residents of Edjeba community in Warri South Local Government Area of Delta State , was on Thursday put to rest as Chevron Nigeria Limited/ Nigeria Petroleum Company Joint Venture(CNL/NNPC JV) commissioned a 500-metre-long drainage system.

The community project which the community chose instead of a solar-powered bore hole project, to address the menace of flooding in the community , was awarded in December 2017 to Pyrammidt Company Nigeria Limited, an indigenous company owned by an Edjeba indigene and funded by Chevron Nigeria Limited/ Nigeria National Petroleum Company Joint Venture(CNL/NNPC JV)

The project was executed under CNL’s Project Specific Agreement (PSA) and awarded by the Edjeba community to one of its own,
Beneficiaries of the drainage project include not only members of the community, but over 15, 000 users of the Edjeba road linking the NPA Express way.

During his address, CNL’s General Manager, Policy, Government and Public Affairs (PGPA), Esimaje Brikinn, said the project was meant to show CNL/NNPC JV’s efforts to improve the welfare of the people in its area of operations and beyond.

While thanking the Edjeba community and the Delta State government for approval, managing and creating the enabling atmosphere for the successful execution of the project, Brikinn, through his representive , CNL PGPA Superintendent, Mr Tony Emegere, stated that “through partnership with the government of Delta State as well as community stakeholders, we have been adding significant values to people’s lives through our Corporate Responsibility and Community Engagement initiatives.

“This is the trail of goodness we leave behind in every community where we operate and we congratulate the Edjeba community for successfully completing this Drainage System Project.

He urged members of the community to maintain the facility, adding that “the effectiveness of a drainage system is dependent on the maintenance of the system.

“It is our hope that the drains would be kept clear of silt and dirt at all times so as to ensure that the excess water is always carried away.”

Representative of the Delta State government at the occasion, Mr S. O. Okujere, who’s the Director, Governor’s Office Annexe in Warri, described as heartwarming the commencement and eventual completion of the project.

He lauded CNL/NNPC JV’s commitment to its social responsibility to host communities by giving back through projects which are targeted at improving the social condition of members.

Okujere noted that the drainage system was the choice of the community ahead of solar-powered borehole, which he said, would have amounted to project duplication since the community already has effective potable water scheme.

He urged other citizens and corporate organizations to emulate the sponsors in improving infrastructure development in host communities.

Meanwhile, the eldest member of Edjeba community otherwise called Unur’ovwodo of Edjeba, High Chief Michael Ikpuri commended CNL/NNPC JV, Elders and Council of Chiefs and Edjabe community executive led by Kingsley Okekeri for the project’s success.

High Chief Ikpuri was accompanied by other chiefs including Chief Isaac Emifoye, Chief Francis Ikpuri, the Olotu of Agbarha kingdom and Chief Felix Tughele Ogri, among others.

He, however, appealed to the community executive to quickly initiate another project, saying the Edjeba was lagging behind in infrastructure development the the comity of communities.

Pa Ikpuri also urged the drainage project sponsors to lit up the Edjeba road with street lights to ward off criminals from the area, charging CNL to always report crisis situations for prompt resolution.

The occasion was graced by women of the community who entertained guests with a cultural performance.

Leader of the women, Chief (Mrs.) Victoria Powo JP, expressed joy at the completion of the project which she said had halted the perennial flooding in the area.

“I’m happy because when water was over flooding the place, it destroyed many things so with this drainage, water will not over flood Edgeba again.

“We are very happy, we thank God, we give him all the glory and honour. We pray that all other oil companies will be doing like this for their host communities,” Chief Powo said.

Apart from the GMoU commuinties , projects, CNL has also sponsored other projects for non-GMoU communities around CNL’s Warri Office . They include e-library at Ubeji, Ekpan Women Development Centre, Ekpan Surgical Theatre/Call Rooms project, Aruakpor-Umah Road Electricity project, Osubi Solar Powered Water project and NYSC Science Teachers’ program at Ekpan Secondary School, among others.