The purpose of creating DRID is to develop Riverrine Communities _ Ebikeme Clark.
The Commissioner for Directorate of Riverine Infrastructural Development (DRID) Chief Ebikeme Clark has said that the purpose of touring riverine Communities was to interface with the people, identity their needs and report back to the state government for their needs to be addressed.
He made this known during the Directorate’s official tours of riverine Local Government Areas of Delta State.
Chief Ebikeme said amidst the humongous oil revenue generated from the riverine areas that the people had suffered neglect over the years there by making them very livid and disillusioned, adding that it was the reason the state Governor, elder Sheriff Oborevwori should be appreciated for his initiative of creating the Directorate that would contribute more to the development of the areas.
DRID boss said the Directorate is saddled with the responsibilities of the overall development of the riverine Communities, noting that creating the Directorate was a better way the state Governor, elder Oborevwori has demonstrated his deep concern and understanding of the plight and developmental needs of the core riverine Communities of the state.
Chief Ebikeme said upon creating the Directorate and his appointment to oversee it’s operations , that he has been working assiduously with his team to operationalize the Directorate and leverage opportunities it holds towards bringing soccour to the people of the areas.
The Commissioner noted that the cost of executing projects in the riverine Communities is three times the cost of executing same projects else where, saying that the cost of developing the riverine Communities is a very daunting one that cannot be achieved overnight or within the life span of an administration, hence the people should have the understanding that the development is subject to availability of funds.
While saying that the demands of the various Communities were similar in nature from one Local Government to the other, he said the Directorate’s vision of developing the riverine Communities would require many years of consistency in projects execution to achieve, even as the Directorate is focusing on opening up the riverine Communities for business opportunities.
He said the Directorate need the support of all and sundry, he added that the people of the areas should eschew acts that are capable of breaching security and hindering the effort of the state government in bringing the much needed development to the Communities.
Chief Ebikeme said they should cooperate with contractors and avoid development levy collection, which according to him is illegal.
The chairman of Burutu Local Government council, Chief Takeme Julius, Chairman of Warri South, honourable Sylvester Oromoni and their counterpart at Warri North, honourable Festus Ani Ashima who received the Commissioner and his team on the visit in their various councils , commended the state Governor for creating the Directorate to cater for the needs of the riverine Communities.
While describing the governor as a man that has the interest of riverine Communities and the entire state at heart, they appealed to him to properly fund the Directorate to enable him achieve his MORE agenda in the riverine Communities.
The stakeholders enumerated some of the needs of areas to include, portable drinking water, schools, hospitals, roads, electricity, concrete Jetties, bridges, foreshore protection, reclamation of land, canalization , permanent protection of the area from flood among others.
The traditional of Burutu, Bosu Dio Ayamabulou 1 and his counterpart at Ogbe- Ijoh , Pere of Ogbe- Ijoh, Couple Oromoni Monbeme 111 , who were also visited by the Commissioner , lauded Governor Oborevwori for creating the Directorate and equally appointing their son as the pioneer Commissioner.
They congratulated Chief Ebikeme Clark for his appointment, describing him as a round peg in a round hole.
