The Nigeria Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) in collaboration with AllGrace Energy Limited, operator of the Ubima Marginal Field, OML 17 in Ubima community, Ikwerre LGA, Rivers State, has conducted an on-site inspection of the ultra-modern community town hall being5p constructed in the community.
The project is part of the cornerstone initiatives highlighted in the Community Development Plan (CDP) for 2024, adopted by the Ubima Host Community Development Trust.
Speaking during the inspection tour, the Assistant Director, Community Project Management, HSEC Dept of the NUPRC, Abuja Headquarters, Engr. Olatokunbo Karimu expressed mixed feelings regarding the state of the work done on the project and the delivery timeline.
Olatokunbo, who on the one hand expressed his delight in the quality of work being done, also expressed his displeasure on the slow pace of work.
Olatokunbo said: “The Ubima Town Hall is the first project to be embarked on by the Ubima HCDT. We are satisfied with the quality of work. Very good quality, the materials and the work done so far.
Speaking further during the inspection last Friday, Olatokunbo said he was dissatisfied with the project construction pace.
Think “Although we are a bit unsatisfied with the pace. We expected it would have gone beyond we are seeing today. We had expected that by now it would have been roofed”. He however promised to go back to do an appraisal with the contractor handling the project and the Host Community Development Trust (HCDT) management to ensure speedy completion. He said “Notwithstanding, we will go back and do an appraisal with the contractor and the HCDT management to see the shortcoming so we can improve on that. We will work on that and make sure the project is delivered on time”.
Also speaking during the inspection, a representative of AllGrace Energy Ltd and Secretary Board of Trustees (BoT) Ubima HCDT, Folashade Aderanti-Olowoshoke, said the construction of a modern community town hall in Ubima community was one of the cornerstone initiatives highlighted in the Community Development Plan (CDP) for 2024, adopted aiding Ubima Host Community Development Trust.
She added that the project monitoring was in compliance with the provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act 2021 and the Nigeria Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) Regulations 2022.
Aderanti-Olowoshoke said: “In accordance with the provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act 2021 and the Nigeria Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) Regulations 2022, AllGrace Energy Limited, in collaboration with NUPRC, has embarked on project monitoring exercise in Ubima community.
This facility is envisioned to serve as a vital hub for local engagement, fostering dialogue, culture, and promoting the overall welfare of the community. AllGrace Energy Limited remains steadfast in its commitment to the socio-economic advancement of its host community, ensuring that sustainable development projects are prioritized and executed. Through collaborative efforts, the company aims to continuously contribute to the long-term growth and prosperity of Ubima.”
On his part, the Managing Director, Construe Limited, the contractor handling the project, Okachi Everest, disclosed that the delay in delivering the 1,500 seating capacity town hall to the people was caused by the difficulty of locally sourcing skilled manpower within the community.
“What we are building here is an Ultra Modern Civic Centre for Ubima Community. The capacity is 1,500 sitting capacity with 14 offices within the complex.
“The project was initiated not long ago, but since we were mobilised, we have been working effectively. And it is believed that in no distant time we will handover the project in line with the time frame and specification. “From the way it is, if we work based on the speed with which we are going we believe by December to January, we would have completed the project. “We had initial challenges but we have overcome those challenges, initially we couldn’t get skilled manpower within the domain and in line with our policy, the local content policy, any community that we are working in we try to carry along the indigenes, but along the line the highly skilled manpower we could not get within, we decided to bring them from Port Harcourt.
Everest, however emphasised that the project has a huge buy-in by the people, noting that the youths and elders are in support of the initiative.
“The community was bought into the project, they come here to inspect the project and assisted us in the little way they can. The Elders, the youths are involved. Some materials used here that can be sourced within we give them such contract to supply us. We have always considered them and they have always delivered.”
