The Honourable Minister, Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio has reiterated the unwavering commitment of the Ministry to upholding the dignity of basic education in the Niger Delta region.
The Minister who was represented by Arc. Joy Baderin, a Deputy Director in the Housing & Urban Development Department of the Ministry stated this, while commissioning block of classrooms constructed by the Ministry in various Local Government Areas of Bayelsa State recently.
According to him, “The Ministry, in a bid to fulfil its mandate and vision, has commenced the construction of ‘Quick Win Intervention Projects in all Nine (9) States of the Niger Delta region as an alleviation approach to the quick development of social infrastructure in the region.
He stated that the construction of educational facilities in the communities is geared towards increasing the existing educational infrastructure in the Niger Delta region and improve access to qualitative basic education.
Akpabio disclosed that the various projects located at Tombia, Otuan in Southern Ijaw LGA, Oguama and Kiminimi Communities in Nembe L.G.A. were all completed within the 2020 budget calendar year and form part of the gains and achievements recorded under infrastructure Agenda of the Federal Government under the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR.
He enjoined the communities to ensure the security of the projects and make good use of them.
The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, Dr. Babayo Ardo represented by Bldr. Akowe Achor, Assistant Director, Housing and Urban Development Department in the Ministry stated that the project construction were awarded to indigenous and local contractors to create employment opportunities for the youths of the Communities.
He noted that education in the Delta Region is a critical component that cannot be toyed with because of its high level impact on the quality of life of the citizens “that is why the Ministry has not spared any resources it could muster to ensure the completion of these projects”.
The project consists of a Block of Three (3), Classrooms with convenience, (males and females), a Store, Head Teacher’s office, a Bole hole with Generator, Over head and ground water tanks with reticulation in place commissioned in Otuan Community, Southern Ijaw L.G.A. in Bayelsa State amidst gratification from the people of the Community
The Spokesperson representing HRH Chief Engr. Nanak Okoto Christopher (Atama the vi) of Otuan Kingdom and the entire community, Chief Pere-wari Maclean commended the unflinching efforts of the Federal Government for granting the laudable project to be sited in Otuan , stating that the contract was executed according to the specification of the design.
He called on the Federal Government to intervene by rehabilitating the dilapidated Classroom buildings, Staff quarters & Administrative block of the Community Secondary School, Otuan.
Similar project was also replicated at Oguama Community in Nembe L.G.A. Bayelsa State, commissioned and handed over to Community for use.
The Head Teacher, State School, Oguama Nembe L.G.A. Comrade John A. Robert speaking on behalf of the Community expressed gratitude to the Federal Government and the Honourable Minister for working tirelessly to take education in the State to higher level.
He stated that “it is trite but to say that sustaining the quality of education system requires several essential elements to affect it; the indispensable amongst them is the strength of improving their social and welfare status, good conducive teaching and learning environment”.
He appealed to the Ministry to upgrade the already existing 2.5km Road linking Oloibiri, Ogbia to Yenagoa, Bayelsa as well as create more employment chances to limit the youth restiveness in the area.
A Staff Quarter consisting of block of Three (3) units of One bedroom apartment containing Kitchen, Living room and Bathrooms with the provision of a Borehole, Generator, Overhead and Ground water tanks to complement the Staff residence was constructed at Kiminimi Community, at the request of the people of Kiminimi and Igabukiri Communities since the primary school is for both Communities.
HRH Iboleauyo l. Igbeta, speaking on behalf of the two Communities while the project was commissioned and handed over the Community commended the Federal Government and solicited for more projects to be sited in the area.
