Newly elected officers of the Benekrukru Community Executive Council taking their oath of office.

…As Benikrukru Community gets new exco.

By Francis Sadhere

As the country continues to plunge deeper into recession, the Delta State governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa has once again appealed to youths in the state to embrace peace for meaningful development of the state.

Governor Okowa made this appeal weekend in Benikrukru community, Gbaramatu Kingdom, Warri South West Local Government Area of the state during the swearing-in ceremony of the new Benikrukru Community Executive Council (BCEC) members.

The new chairman of Benekrukru Community Executive Council and his wife Mr. and Mrs. Godwin Olufemi (m) and other dignitaries in a group photograph.

The governor who was represented by the state Commissioner for Youths Development, Hon. Asupa Forteta noted that Nigeria operates a mono-economy system and therefore cannot afford to continue to lose money because of youth restiveness in the Niger Delta region.

He said, “I want to use this opportunity to appeal to our youths to shun all forms of violence so that development can come to all parts  of the State. You all know that Nigeria is a mono-economy so we cannot continue to disrupt oil production in  the state, because if we do the whole country will suffer as there there will be no funds to carry out any capital project.

“Our youths should also stop all acts capable of bringing down the economy of this country. They should stop pipeline vandalism, bunkering and illegal refinery operation and others.”

Mr. Victor Esiemieghen, out-gone chairman of BCEC (right) handing over the community documents to the new chairman, Mr. Godwin Olufemi.

Also speaking at the occasion, the Commissioner representing the Ijaw ethnic nationality in the board of the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC), Chief Favour Zuokumor appealed to the people of the state to support the administration of Governor Ifeanyi Okowa.

While commending the community for a peaceful handing-over from one executive to another, Zuokumor said DESOPADEC has lined up a number of projects for the Benikrukru community in line with the policy of the board.

He said, “I want to appeal to the people of Benikrukru community to always support the administration of Governor Ifeanyi Okowa because it is only when you support the government of the day that development will come to your area. I want to appeal to you to shun all forms of violence, pipeline vandalism and illegal bunkering.

“DESOPADEC has lined up a number of projects for Benikrukru community because of its peaceful disposition. As soon as the commission gets funds it will commence work. DESOPADEC has a new policy that encourages peace in state. The policy is that any community that is peaceful will have the highest concentration of projects compared to those that are not peaceful.”

The newly elected chairman of the executive council, Mr. Godwin Olufemi promised to work with his executive members and the people of the community to attract more developmental projects to the community.

He however lamented that despite being host to Chevron Nigeria Limited, the community has been neglected by Chevron and government agencies, noting that there was nothing to show for the huge amount of oil being taken away from the oil-rich Benikrukru community.

He further said his executive will align itself with policies and programmes of the community, the kingdom, the state government and other developmental agencies for the development of Benikrukru community.

He said, “In this government, whatever is due to the community will not be diverted or sidelined for any selfish interest or personal gain. I want to use this medium to advise those who  have been painting our community in bad light and also giving wrong information about our community, to desist from it because our community is a very blessed and peaceful place.”

Earlier, the out-gone chairman, Mr. Victor Eseimieghan while reeling out some of the achievements of the past executive council, appealed to the new executive council to put away all grudges and grievances and move the community forward.

The colourful swearing-in ceremony of the newly elected executive council of Benikrukru community which took place at the Oboro Ultra Modern Playground, Benikrukru was well attended by prominent sons and daughters of Gbaramatu kingdom.