Asaba: The Delta State Government has affirmed that the infrastructural development going on in the upland is being replicated in riverine communities.
The Delta State Deputy Governor, Barr. Kingsley Otuaro stated this when he played host to members of Egbema and Gbaramatu Communities Development Foundation (EGCDF) in Asaba.
Barr. Otuaro, said that the various programmes of government in the state were to advance development, create wealth and provide the enabling environment for business to thrive.
He lauded members of the foundation for championing peace, especially in ensuring that pipeline vandalism and militancy came to a halt; thus resulting in increase in oil exploration in the Niger Delta region.
The deputy governor said that the challenge of under- development in oil -bearing communities was dear to the Senator Ifeanyi Okowa administration, pledging increased and more people-oriented projects as soon as the present economic recession ends.
Barr. Otuaro assured Deltans that the SMART Agenda was on course and enjoined all to redouble support to pave way for more dividends of democracy.
The chairman of the foundation, Comrade Jude Ukori, said that their vision is to provide human and infrastructural development for oil-bearing communities in Gbaramatu and Egbema communities; stressing that the impact of Chevron Nigeria Ltd as partner in progress was minimal compared to the oil deposits the company was tapping from the areas.
Comrade Ukori, who said that there was need for the federal and state governments to extend meaningful infrastructural development to the communities, noted that the foundation was out to promote a model that will advance core values of transparency, integrity and reliability in addition to serving as a medium to campaign against illegal bunkering and pipeline vandalism.
He outlined the successes recorded to include 116 infrastructural projects, including classroom blocks, cottage hospitals and health centres, scholarship schemes, housing units, youth empowerment, as well as recreational facilities, aimed at making life pleasurable to oil bearing communities.
Other challenges according to the chairman include paucity of funds, dearth of skilled manpower in the communities, unemployment and inadequate collaboration from government interventionist agencies.
While pledging sustainable peace in riverine communities, Comrade Ukori sued for immediate assistance from donor agencies, multinational companies and government at all levels in alleviating the plight of the people.
