The people of Okpanam community in Oshimili North Local Government Area, Delta State will continue to identify with the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) government in Delta State, led by Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, for the massive infrastructural projects attracted to the domain.
The paramount ruler of the Kingdom, HRM Michael Mbanefo Ogbolu gave the assurance when he received the delegation of the European Investment Bank – assisted Nigeria Erosion and Watershed Management Project (NEWMAP-EIB), led by the State Project Coordinator, Mr. Benedict Nwaokocha, to the Palace of the Ugoani, in Okpanam, within the state capital teritory, during the weekend.
The monarch, who received the delegation in company of the Member representing Oshimili North Constituency in the Delta State House of Assembly, Hon. Frank Esenwah and other members of the Ugoani-In-Council, said his community was happy for the approval of the Amachai/Ogbozoma and Vanguard Area Erosion Sites for civil works intervention by the donor interventionist agency between the Delta State Government and the European Investment Bank.
He noted that the administration of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori has justified the confidence reposed on it by the people of Okpanam community during his electioneering campaign where he promised to deploy the MORE Agenda of the present administration to add value to the socio-economic and infrastructural development of Okpanam Kingdom.
“There is no denying the fact that we delivered massive votes for the present administration. We quite appreciate that the government of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori remembered us. It’s pay back time and we promise, we will continue to use our votes for the success of this administration, Ugoani averred”.
Ugoani said it was a good news to the entire community that the NEWMAP Team has come to introduce the Resettlement Action Plan (RAP) Consultant to the community to start preliminary enumeration, preparatory to the commencement of civil works in the two approved erosion sites.
He maintained that the commencement of works on the approved gully projects will no doubt bring relief to the residents and indigenes living in the community, saying the construction of proper storm water drainages and channelization will solve the problem of erosion menace within the Project’s scope.
The traditional ruler assured the donor agency that Okpanam was a peaceful community and had conscripted the youth body to assist the consultants and would-be contractors by ensuring they work in the community without hindrance, saying proper security architecture was in place to protect the personnel and equipment of contractors.
The State Project Coordinator of NEWMAP-EIB, Mr. Benedict Nwaokocha,
allayed the fears of the people by informing that the donor agency was gradually moving to the commencement of civil works in the two approved erosion sites, assuring them that the roads and drains to be constructed have the capacity and strenght to carry the erosion to the discharge point.
While addressing the comments and observations of stakeholders during the meeting, Mr. Nwaokocha reiterated the quality assurance mantra of the NEWMAP project, having done best practices in terms of erosion control and other environmental related challenges in some communities within the state and other parts of the country, assuring that the donor agency would replicate same in Okpanam community, in pursuit of the assurance of the MORE Agenda of the Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori’s administration in the state.
The Resettlement Action Plan (RAP) Principal Consultant, Dr. Odili Ojukwu, highlighted the objectives of RAP as a safeguard instrument, which bordered on steps being taken to make sure the community is not negatively affected in the course of the completion of the project.
He said the consulting firm was in the community to meet with all stakeholders, who live and work along the affected erosion corridors to identify areas of concerns in terms of property that would obstruct work ways, as well as recommend same for compensation and produce a holistic report that would address all obstacles for the successfull implemention of the project in the community.
Meanwhile, the consulting firm over the weekend, held a town hall meeting with the Project Affected Persons (PAP) and other stakeholders within the community to identify areas of concerns of the project for proper documentation of PAPs and recommendation to government for compensation and further actions.
