Delta State COVID-19 Action Recovery Economic Stimulus Programme, D-CARES, has launched a comprehensive water project at Obomkpa in Aniocha North Local Government Area, Delta State.
The project which is a World Bank assistant project was launched recently by the State Commissioner for Women Affairs, Community and Social Development, Mrs Flora Alanta in a brief, but colourful ceremony held at the community hall located at the Obi’s palace, Obomkpa.
It was attended by the State Commissioner for Economic Planning, Dr. Barry Gbe, the State Coordinator, Delta CARES project, Lady Patience Ogbewe, the Chairman of the State Civil Service Commission, Chief Nkem Okwuofu and the Chairman of Aniocha North Local Government, Hon. Kevin Okwechime, the traditional ruler of Obomkpa, His Royal Majesty, Obi Onyemaechi Josiah Kanyinaga I, Obi of Obomkpa, as well as the PG of the Obomkpa Progressive Union, OPU, Hon. Charles Ogedi.
In his keynote address, the Commissioner for Women Affairs, Community and Social Development, Mrs Flora Alanta emphasized that the Nigeria CARES program is an initiative of the World Bank which has the object of addressing the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on Nigeria’s rural populace.
The commissioner represented by the permanent secretary in the ministry, Mrs Oghenekevwe Agas congratulated the community for being one of the benefiting communities in Nigeria and said that the ceremony was to formally present the first tranche of the project fund meant for the execution of the project to the community through the community Project Management Committee already constituted in the town for the project.
Cshowcasenews.com reports that the Honourable Commissioner, reminded the people of the community on the need to be responsible and accountable for the project, saying that the comprehensive water project was selected by the community with the support of the State government, hence the need for them to be proactive, efficient and prudent in the management of the project fund, even as she sounded note of warning that the release of the second tranche of the project fund would be determined by how well the first tranche will be utilized.
While urging them to adhere to the lay-down procedure concerning the procurement and execution of the project, the commissioner urged the Obomkpa Community to be partners in progress with the State government in regard to the comprehensive water project and said that the State Governor will be delighted to know that they did make the mistake of choosing Obomkpa as one of the beneficiaries of the program in Delta State.
In his remarks, the State Commissioner for Economic Planning, Dr Barry Gbe said that the Obomkpa Community falls into the CARES program objectives of community and group basic service infrastructure and said that the program launch in the community was for the fact that they actively followed the Community Driven Development process.
“I want to urge the community project management committee to stay focused and follow the rules guiding the project. Remember to execute your project in line with your Community Development Plan; do not also forget to seek clarification where necessary so that we can achieve success in this program. If this community succeeds in the implementation, CDDSIU as well as D-CARES programme and by extension, the Delta State Government, have succeeded,” the State Economic Planning Commissioner stated.
While expressing his gratitude to the World Bank for the programme, Dr. Barry Gbe who was represented at the event commended the State Governor, Senator Dr Ifeanyi Okowa for keying into the programme and releasing the funds.
Also in her goodwill message, the State Coordinator, Delta CARES Project Lady Patience Ogbewe, urged the entire members of the Obomkpa Community to give the Community Project Management Committee their full support and cooperation and said that the project being their own, they should from the project launch, begin to show ownership by contributing to the success of the comprehensive water project in whatever way they could, especially in the area of offering free labour or at very reduced cost.
“Let us not forget that this project is self-help project, avoid bickering and antagonism, instead of assuming, seek explanation on issues you do not understand,” she cautioned and emphasized that the primary object of the program is to bring development to the doorsteps of the rural dwellers in the State.
Responding, on behalf of the community, the Chairman of the State Civil Service Commission, Chief Nkem Okwuofu who is from the Community expressed joy over the project launch while commending the State Commissioner for Women Affairs, Community and Social Development for putting the machinery in motion for the commencement of the project in the community.
Chief Okwuofu who is a known political leader in the State, affirmed the prayers and readiness of the Obomkpa people to see to the actualisation of the project, while expressing delight that Obomkpa is about ranking among the best in rural development in Delta State.
She gave the credit to the State Governor, Senator Dr Ifeanyi Okowa and the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Ndudi Elumelu, saying that the community has never had it so good.
Okwuofu assured that the community has competent persons that will handle and supervise the project effectively and efficiently, even as she urged the Community Project Management Committee not to tarnish the confidence reposed on them by the community.
Earlier, while welcoming the gathering, the President General, Obomkpa Progressive Union, Hon. Charles Ogedi, commended the inclusion of the people to play a major role in initiating and execution of CARES projects and said that popular participation remained one of the enablers of sustainable development.
Hon. Ogedi who is a Senior Special Assistant to the State Governor on Project Monitoring, appreciated the leaders and members of the State CARES programme for the strategy of involving the people in initiating the comprehensive water project in Obomkpa Community, affirming that it will make the people think ownership of the project.
“We are aware that water and sanitation is one of the basic elements of the millennium development goals that transited to sustainable development goals. You recall also that one of the major sources of communicable disease is water, after air that has no boundaries. So, that the Delta CARES has decided to sight a comprehensive water project scheme in Obomkpa, will go a long way in advancing the health and well-being of the people and also to a large extent reduce rural urban migration,” Ogedi said.
Highpoint was the signing of the memorandum of understanding and the former launch of the project with the presentation of the first tranche of the project fund to the Chairman of the Community Project Management Committee.
