By Igbunu Miracle
ALAKA community in Uvwie Local Government Area of Delta State has been chosen as beneficiary as a non-governmental organization, Eco Assurance and Rural Transformation Center, (Eco Trace) in partnership with Afrihealth Optonet Association has inaugurated a 20- man Community Consultative Committee to partner with government and Multinational companies for community development.
The program, funded by The United Nations Democratic Fund, (UNDEF) is to ensure all Democratic countries around the globe are developed in partnering democratic government and multinationals.
Inaugurating the committee at a townhall meeting in Alaka, the Executive Director of Eco Trace, Mr. Fred Nowho said, “We found out that when you go to some communities in the Niger-Delta region, there are so many abandoned projects like Boreholes, Health Centers and many others by contractors and it will interest you to know that these projects are been re-awarded year in year out without result.”
According to Nohwo, “Eco Trace, is an organization that will engage the government on a regular and sustained basis, were citizens and the electorates would be able to interact with leaders and politicians representing them at the various levels in the government of the day as that will makes them to be accountable.
“Having broadly failed to use dialogue in pursuing and achieving their developmental aspirations, dissatisfied and marginalized people resorted to violence causing persistent insecurity and the loss of lives and properties without achieving their aims as this has led to the reduction of foreign investment and national oil output, thus further aggravating poverty.”
“We are here for two key issues, to identify the needs of the community, their developmental challenges, there we will look and itemize them so that the ones within our reach can be worked on to alleviate the suffering of the people.
“Alaka community was identify as one of the communities Delta central that lacks development, and it was picked as a beneficiary were two immediate needs will be attended to while the medium and long-term needs will be attended to democratically by engaging the government, elected representatives and community leaders.
“We have identified that, there are no federal government presence despite playing host to multinational oil companies and with the use of dialogue and synergy, our health centers will be revived, drinking of portable pipe-borne water and drainages will be attended to.”
Reacting, the chairman of the community, Mr. Wilson Ijokoh said, we are happy to have seen Eco Trace who partner with the government and the communities to bring the needful development.
He said, “What we are enjoying today as partially flood free community is what the immediate past governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan did by clearing the waterways before he left office or by now you cannot access Alaka because of torrential flooding
While appealing for the urgent needs of the community, Ijokoh disclosed that, integrity, accountability and services to humanity is what every Non-Governmental Organization is known for and we will definitely stand with you in achieving your feat in our community.
The chairman of the committee is Okwowe Jerry, Mrs. Alice Adu as vice, while Gift Obomu and Somhi are Secretary and Treasurer respectively as they will work the NGO as community representatives in engaging the government, companies and spirited individuals in developing the community.
