By Bamidele David, Warri
The Itsekiris of Ubeji community in Warri South Local Government Area of Delta State were in celebration on Thursday as their hitherto decrepit town hall, newly renovated by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation/Chevron Nigeria Ltd Joint Venture was formally inaugurated.
The State Governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, represented by the Commissioner, Oil and Gas Ministry, Prince Emmanuel Amgbaduba, presided over the inauguration ceremony which drew a large crowd of the jubilant indigenes.
The Governor’s representative, in his address at the event commended the NNPC/Chevrön JV and Ubeji community for their mutual and successful partnership in renovating the town hall.
He also lauded the community for their peaceful disposition to the oil companies in the area.
“This project shows that you are good neighbours to Chevrön”, he said.
Also speakibg, the chairman of Ubeji Community Trust, Mr Godwin Mone, expressed appreciation of the community to the NNPC/Chevron JV for restoring social life to the people by renovating the decrepit town hall.
“Permit me to sincerely appreciate the entire management of Chevron Nigeria Ltd and all the government representatives who partnered with the community to make this project a huge success”, he said.
He further expressed appreciation to Engineer Clement Erewa the former Ubeji Chairman and the members of his Exco “that came out with this wonderful brainstorm that resulted to this beautiful commissioning ceremony today”.
To Chevron, he remarked that “the renovation of Ubeji Community Town Hall; gives great joy and also creates positive impact in our socio-economic life”.
The General Manager, Policy Government and Public Affairs (PGPA), Chevron, Esimaje Brikinn, in his address, underscored the time-honoured benignity of the company to the communities neighbouring its operations and across the country noting that the occasion “demonstrates yet another example of the NNPC/CNL JV’s efforts to improve the welfare of our neighbours and beyond”.
He noted that the project was selected by Ubeji community to provide a conducive environment for community meetings as well as a revenue-generating venture for events.
Brikinn, who was represented by Sam Daibo said, “Thankfully, through the renovation of this hall, the objective is being met. We thank the Ubeji community for managing the project, and also creating the enabling environment for the successful execution of the project.
“We also thank the government of Delta State for nominating representatives to serve on the project implementation committee, giving permission and providing the enabling environment to ensure the successful completion of the townhall renovation project.
“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 neighboring our operations”.
