The people of Ayama in Gbarain kingdom of Bayelsa State have expressed gratitude to the management of Niger Delta Development Commission for considering their community in the award and completion of solar-powered street light projects.
They expressed delight that their community had been lit-up with solar-powered streetlights by the NDDC, thereby making it to be among several other communities in the region that had benefited from the commission’s ‘Operation Light Up Niger Delta Project.’
Ayama is one of the communities in the oil and gas-rich Gbarain axis of Yenagoa Local Government Area of the state.
Speaking separately when the people rolled out the drums to celebrate the successful completion of the solar street light project, the paramount ruler of Ayama-Gbarain, Kawari Apina-Owei; his deputy, Jeremiah Selesai; and the Community Development Committee chairman, Geseye Apina-Owei, praised the Managing Director of NDDC, Samuel Ogbuku, and the management of the interventionist agency for the amenity.
They also commended the NDDC management for awarding the project to the community and approving the engagement of Doncont Nigeria Limited, the contracting firm, to handle and complete the job according to specifications and timelines.
Apina-Owei said, “Some relief came our way when the NDDC awarded the solar-powered street light to this community. This is the first time we are feeling the impact of the leadership and management of the NDDC from inception.
“We thank the Managing-Director/CEO of the NDDC, Dr Samuel Ogbuku and the entire management of the commission for remembering our community, Ayama, in the award of this solar-powered light project. Before now, we have been in total darkness, and so snakes and other dangerous reptiles were roaming at night.”
Selesai, on his part, added, “This is the first NDDC project this community is benefitting. As we speak, we don’t have water, no health facility, no good school. We also need internal roads in this community. We call on the NDDC management, led by Dr Ogbuku, the hardworking MD/CEO of the NDDC, to reconsider this community on these other infrastructures we don’t have.
“Before the execution of this solar light project, we could not move freely at night because everywhere used to be dark once it is night. But now, we can move at any time of the night to our neighbouring Ogboloma and Okotiama communities.”
They further expressed their appreciation to the Vicar of St. Luke’s Anglican Church, Ayama-Gbarain, Rev Paul Edidi, for facilitating the award of the contract by the NDDC to the community when they least expected it.
The community described him as God-sent, who had brought happiness to their hearts as they could see clearly and move freely at night.
