Sir Kenny Okolugbo, and some of the Inspections Members at Awkuzu Junction, Obiaruku
The Honourable Commissioner, representing Ndokwa Nation at the Board of DESOPADEC, Sir Kenny Okolugbo had undertaken a tour of projects being handled by the commission in Ndokwa West and Ukwuani Local Government Council Areas. According to the Commissioner the commission in her 2013 budget had 27 projects, while many had being completed and commissioned some are on-going. During the tour which he undertook with journalists from some media houses, staff of the commission and supported by the commissioner representing the Urhobo Nation, Hon. C.O Ominimini, the HOSTCOM chairman in Ukwuani, Chief Christopher Nwajiogoli, the PDP Delta North Chairman, Chief Ogbodokwu Anigala a total of 16 projects were inspected, out of which 4 was commissioned.
ICT Centre, Obiaruku Grammar School
The Anti Natal, Obiaruku General Hospital
The tour which started as early as 10 am started in Obiaruku, where the Anti Natal Clinic built by the commission at the Obiaruku General Hospital was inspected. The commissioner explained that the project will be commissioned soon, since it is nearing completion. At the Awkuzu Junction a completed Solar Light Project was inspected. The light serves few kilometres from the junction beyond the Obiaruku market. However residents living around the Awkuzu Junction confirmed the light is working perfectly. At Obiaruku, the tour continued with the inspection of the ICT centre at the Obiaruku Grammar School. There were sign of joy among the staff and students of the school as the team entered the school with the anticipation of the commissioning and opening of the centre for the staff and students. However, the team only inspected the project which according to the commissioner will be commissioned soon. The ICT centre from observation is completed. It had already been equipped with more than 40 computers. There is also a computer library, a standard reception hall. According to Mr Solomon Akpolowo, a Fine Art teacher in the school, the school is so appreciative of the state government for the project. However the school management is asking that the centre be commissioned soon, and a competent hand be sent to man the facility as the school presently lacks manpower for the computer teaching.
The team was also at Owa Abbi in Ukwuani LGA where it inspected and commissioned two blocks of six classrooms at Obioma Primary School. At the primary school, the pupils lined up to welcome the team with singing and dancing, waving the Nigerian Flag as a sign of joy and happiness for the provisions by the state government. In her speech, the Head Teacher, Mrs Onwuka E.E, thanked Governor Emmanuel Eweta Uduaghan and the commission for remembering the school, and asked for the furnishing of the classrooms. In his response, Hon Okolugbo thanked the school for the warm reception, and used the opportunity to inform them that the old block of classroom will be renovated in 2014 plan.
The commission also undertook projects at Ebedei Water-Side. At the Ebedei Secondary School, Adonishaka the commission renovated the administrative block and a block of 8 classrooms. These two projects were commissioned during the tour. The commissioner also informed the team that the science block is also being handled by the commission. Like in Owa Abbi, the team was welcomed by the staff and students with pageantry of dance from the school gate. The Principal of the school, Comd. John O. Ogbodo thanked the Uduaghan government for the development effort in the state, and the school in particular. However, the school asked for some other amenities like fence and toilet facilities. At Obi-Oghene, Ebedei, the team also inspected the 200m Oguna Road constructed during the year 2013. The commissioner informed the tour team that the jobs especially that of the roads are being done in phases because of fund. He however said the remaining part of the road is already in the 2014 budget and plan.
At Umutu, the hospital road was inspected. Hon Kenny Okolugbo, informed the team that the phase 1 project was done before he came into office, but the remaining section of the road will be completed soon. The solar light project at the Mission road junction was also inspected. According a fruit seller at the Mission road Junction the Solar Light is working. According to her before the installation of the light she use to sell in the night with hurricane lamp, but since the installation the area is now well illuminated at night.
Moving from Umutu, a Health Care Centre at Umuezeogoli, Ebedei Unor was inspected. The inspection team noticed that the work is already at advanced stage. The roofing had being done and the plastering work was going on. At a neighbouring community, the team was at Akoku, where two projects were inspected. They are the street light and the market built by the commission for the community. The commission did not only build the market, but built a modern toilet facility with bore hole. At the market, the commissioner told the team that the old market structure will be renovated to meet up with the standard of the newly constructed one.
The team was also at Ndokwa-West, where it carried out inspection of projects at Udueze Primary School, Utagba-Unor. According to the Commissioner, the project at the primary school was facilitated by the member representing Ndokwa-West at the state House of Assembly, Hon. Azuka Azaka, who during the inspection tour joined the team at the primary school. Hon. Azaka used the opportunity to thank the government of Governor Emmanuel E. Uduagan for approving the renovation of the three blocks of 15 classrooms. During the inspection, the team observed that the painting was already wearing off, this the Hon Commissioner said the emulsion paint used was the problem, that the commission will work on the painting again by using text coat paint as in other projects already visited.
At Utue-Ogume, the last place for the day, the commission was at the Ishieni Primary School, the fourth project of the day was commissioned. The project is a two blocks of 6 classrooms. The team was also well welcomed, with the entire Chief in Council present. The Head Teacher, Mrs Ezemejor N.I.C thanked the state governor and DESOPADEC for coming to the aid of the classrooms, because the school lack furniture’s, which Hon Okolugbo promised that the commission will furnish the classrooms.
The team observed that much had being done in the areas visited; the commissioner says in the coming year, the commission will carry out more projects to develop the area. Hon Okolugbo will be thanking God on Saturday, 7th of December, 2013. He said the one year had being successful and it is better to give God the glory. He also said the remaining projects will be inspected after the thanksgiving.
