BY HILLARY ASEMOTA
It was indeed jubilation galore and commendation openly expressed by residents of Imakun-Omi town, in Ogun Waterside LGA of Ogun State, on one hand and the people of Oghighe/Urualla Ohukabia Aligbara/Ohukabia Ndijibi in Oguduasa, Isuikwuato LGA in Abia State, as they separately trouped out in their large numbers to celebrate the commissioning and handover of projects executed in their localities by the Federal Government through the Ecological Fund Office.
Overwhelmed with excitement, the paramount ruler of Imakun-Omi, Oba Kazeem Adeshina Salami, commended the government and the project facilitator, the Senator representing Ogun East Senatorial Constituency, Senator Olalekan Mustapha, for bringing development to their community pledging maximum support for contractors to carry out their job unhindered.
He also promised a violence-free environment to ensure speedy completion of the project within the scheduled period even as Salami made the pledge during a pre-project handover and sensitization/awareness creation ceremony.
The event the media was informed was a platform created to bring together Stakeholders to share experiences on the infrastructural upgrade and roll out which is being proactively driven by the Ecological Fund Office.
The stakeholders include Senator Olalekan Mustapha (facilitator of the project), Officials of Ecological Fund Office, Contractor, Consultant and the host community who showed their presence at the project commissioning at Imakun-Omi.
Commending the Ecological Fund Office for bringing succor to the host community, the lawmaker assured the contractor of the community’s support as according to him, the community members have been anxiously waiting and expecting the project delivery day.
He expressed appreciation to the Permanent Secretary, of the Ecological Office, Dr. Habiba Lawal, through Engr. Udochi Nwachukwu, a Deputy Director at the Office for drawing a design that would stand the test of time on the intervention project.
Earlier in her address, Dr. Lawal, called for peaceful co-existence with the contractors to ensure quality job and timely delivery of the project as contractors were carefully selected in a competitive and transparent process, she said.
According to Dr. Lawal, the meeting was aimed at building bridges of understanding between EFO, contractors and host community with a view to resolving issues that may hinder the progress of work.
She advised them on the need to shun rancor, violence, conspiracy and extortion against contractors and by extension the federal government.
She urged the Osobias in council, village heads and religious leaders to prevail on their people to support and cooperate with the Government to serve them better.
The project, which consists of 6km road improvement work, will also have drainage control by introduction of culvert, is expected to be completed within twelve (12) months.
Still in the same breath of Infrastructural development, this time the people of Oghighe/Urualla Ohukabia Aligbara/Ohukabia Ndijibi in Oguduasaa, Isuikwuato LGA in their appreciative mood rolled out drums in jubilation to celebrate the commissioning and handover project executed by the Office.
Speaking at the commissioning and handing over of project, President Muhammadu Buhari, represented by Mrs. Nkiruka Onyejeocha, Deputy Chief Whip, House of Representatives, reiterated his administration’s commitment to ensure that no part of the country will suffer neglect owing to its geographical location or political inclination in terms of infrastructural development.
He noted that the successful completion of the project would not only better the safety and wellbeing of the citizens of the surrounding communities but would also improve their standard of living, thereby providing ample interesting opportunities for socio-economic growth to members of the communities.
While commending the Permanent Secretary for her immeasurable assistance and exceptional qualities, Onyejeocha pleaded that the 2nd phase of the ecological fund intervention be looked into.
Dr. Lawal, represented by Mr. Clinton Igwe, Director Pollution Control, Ecological Fund Office, likewise in a remark, said the project was initiated through a request by Onyejeocha, to arrest the continuous erosion, flooding and other ecological devastations within and around the impacted communities.
She revealed that the project would serve the dual purpose of enabling the communities take over and exercise ownership as well as ensure its maintenance and sustainability, thereby avoid waste.
In his goodwill message, the chairman of Isuikwuato Council, Chief Eze Ihemeje, commended the government for coming to their rescue as the project has brought succor to the benefitting communities.
The President General of Isuikwuato Development Union, Dr. Chukwuemeka Onuoha, commended the effort of the Permanent Secretary for the urgent intervention and appreciated the duo of the contractor and consultant for the timely completion of the project.
The event featured the unveiling of plaques, award giving, handover of certificate, cultural dance display among others.
Obegolu, Amala G. C, of the Ecological Fund Office, made the statement available to the media
