NNPC/Chevron expends N600m on wooden bridges, others

By Dayo Johnson Akure
THE NNPC/Chevron Joint Venture efforts to ensure sustainable development and maintain peace in the oil rich communities in Ondo state has gulped over N600m in the last seven years.

This was disclosed while presenting the annual report and financial statement of the Ilaje Regional Development Committee IRDC during its Annual General Meeting held in Akure .

The IRDC Chairman Jackson Nomiye said while presenting the report that about 15 percent of the funding was for General Administration expenses while the remaining amount was for project execution

Nomiye said that about N80 million was expended on the construction of 3000 meters of wooden footbridges in 34 Ilaje RDC communities to stimulate development in the areas.

According to him the footbridges which linked many of the communities will boost commerce and trade as well as interactions and social engagement among the communities

Nomiye added that about N12 m was disbursed to 400 beneficiaries in secondary and tertiary institution as scholarship grant while N88m was expended to purchase equipment for Reverse Osmosis project and has been installed.

Speaking on free medical programme, the Chairman said that N12m of the N16m approved for the scheme was expended for the implementation of the free medical and maternal mortality and promote good health and well being among the people.

According to him in the last one year several youths from Ilaje were sent to learn new skill in welding in collaboration with Chevron and many were employed at the end of the training.

Nomiye added that as a result of the relationship with Chevron, some indigenes got short and long term appointment with chevron.

He pointed out that the RDC has been very vibrant in its community development programme by focusing on areas of needs such as education, healthcare, empowerment and capacity building.

The General Manager Policy, Government and Public Affairs of Chevron Mr Deji Haastrup lauded the IRCD leadership for successfully managing the success in most of its cardinal objectives including community empowerment and sustainable development with the funds available to it.

Haastrup pleaded with community leaders, women, youths and other stakeholders to keep an open mind and continue to support the implementation of the GMoU so that the communities can reap more benefits from the process.