Samuel OYADONGHA

For communities in the hinterland of Bayelsa State where there is hardly any local and state government presence, the people are always looking up to the oil and gas multinationals to provide them with basic amenities in spite of the reservations about their activities.

This was the scenario when the people of the coastal town of Bilabiri I & II, Agoro and Agorogbene in Ekeremor, rolled out their drums to celebrate the inauguration of eight completed projects and empowerment programmes by the Bilagorogbene Mein Development Foundation in partnership with the Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC).

For a people surrounded by water, yet lacking potable water to drink, the provision of solar powered water scheme would no doubt save them the pain of sourcing water from their polluted river

The projects estimated at N140 million, were executed under the SPDC Global Memorandum of Understanding (GMoU) with the host communities.

These include SPDC LiveWire programme for Bilabiri I&II, to make the beneficiaries self reliant, and use the skills they acquired in a marketable manner, three classroom blocks (legacy projects) for the educational needs of the people.

Others are construction of a community town hall also referred to as legacy project, fencing and landscaping civic centre and women development centre, construction of walkways with footbridge at Bilabiri II.

Also in furtherance of the developmental stride of the GMoU module, which includes human development, fashion designing programme was embarked upon for women of Agoro and Agorogbene. The youths were also trained in excavator operation.

Starter packs were given to trainees who completed courses in welding and fabrication, fashion and design and computer training amongst others.

Speaking at the commissioning ceremony which was witnessed by the state commissioner for mineral resources, Mr. Francis Ikio, representatives of the SPDC, Chiefs and Elders of the Mein cluster development foundation and civil society organizations, chairman of the foundation, Mr. Ati Robert, described as the dawn of a new era, the SPDC signing of GMoU with the host communities.

His words: “The joy in our hearts know no bounds with the signing of the GMoU which has replaced all the resentment and brought with it an abiding faith in SPDC’s determined developmental drive. Peace has returned to our communities. We are therefore gathered here today to harvest the fruits of peace.”

He said prior to the GMoU, the Niger Delta was characterized by uncoordinated and uncompleted projects which left sour taste in the mouth of the people leading to frustration and violence in an incremental manner in the region.

In his remarks the SPDC General Manager, Sustainable Development and Community Relations, Nedo Osayande said the company had invested over N770 million on GMoU related projects in Bilagrogbene Mein Cluster in the last seven years.

According to him, 60 youths trained in entrepreneurial business management were also given grants of N150,000 each.