By Brave Dickson
The Shell-Tai Cluster Development Board has completed and commissioned capital and capacity projects of N231.8 million in Tai Local Government Area of Rivers State.
The projects which ranged from transformer installation, electricity extension, drainage construction, solar water construction to tertiary institution scholarships were sited in Bara-Ale, Botem, Gbam, Kpite, Nonwa, Sime, Gio, Kira, Bara Alue and Norkpo communities in Tai LGA.
Delivering his remarks at the commissioning ceremony, the Chairman, Tai Cluster Development Board, Hon Sunday Akpene said: “Tai Cluster GMoU Agreement with SPDC JV attained its first 5-year projects and programmes delivery mandate this year.
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“We have completed projects and programmes in all the communities within the cluster. The developments in Tai spread via infrastructure, human capital, economic empowerment, women programmes, health and environmental projects.
“Recently, 80 Tai women graduated from a three months skill acquisition project at the new technology centre in Ken Poly, Bori. The capacity of our women was built in four distinct trade areas comprising catering, hairdressing/beauty therapy, fashion design and computer appreciation skills.
“Apart from the capacity building, the women were provided with starter packs and working capital to start, own and manage small scale businesses in the areas in which their skills and competence were developed. The cost of this project amounted to N26.8 million.
“Besides the skill acquisition project, we successfully implemented a revolving loan scheme in three communities namely: Nonwa, Kira and Norkpo. The scheme is largely for women and our record shows that 156 women have benefited from the project.
“In the infrastructure sector, we completed rural electrification projects in 10 communities namely: Botem, Kpite, Nonwa, Sime, Gbam, Gio, Bara-Ale, Bara-Alue, Kira and Norkpo respectively. The projects were executed by local contractors from Tai and Tai youths were engaged during the implementation of the projects.
“In addition to the electrification projects, we constructed market stores in Gio community, one water drainage system in Kpite and two neighbourhood water schemes in Gbam and Bara-Ale. Total investment on infrastructure in phase one of the GMoU in Tai aggregated to N45.9 million, ” among others.
Representing Shell, the Manager, External Relations, Mr Igo Weli enjoined the people of Tai to keep maintaining peace in their LGA and restrain anyone who has the tendency to disrupt the mutual and cordial relationship they and She’ll have built together.
He also commended the stakeholders of Tai for the achievements during the first five years GMoU operations which is also called phase one projects in the LGA, adding that the projects were what the people needed.
Our correspondent reports that the project commissioning witnessed past and present top government functionaries, traditional rulers, Eleme cluster board members, Shell delegation and other stakeholders in attendance.
