The District Chief Executive (DCE) of Ellembelle, Kwesi Bonzoh has commended ENI Ghana for committing to construct 3.2kilometer Sanzule-Bakanta road.
The Petroleum Commission and management of ENI Ghana Exploration and Production Limited held a meeting with the District Chief Executive of Ellembelle and the Chief of Old and New Bakanta in respect of a petition for the construction of the said kilometers of road.
This was after the Chief of Old and New Bakanta petitioned the Commission for the construction of the road.
as pasrt of its efforts to ensure that the road is constructed, the Petroleum Commission dispatched a team on an inspection tour led by its Local Content Director and other managers, of the road amid the feasibility syudies.
Speaking during the Handover of Schools to OCTP Project Affected Communities, the DCE indicated that plans are far advanced by ENI to construct the 3.2kilometer Sanzule-Bakanta road.
He said, the decision by ENI to construct the road must be commended and he extended apprecoiation to the National Petroleum Commission and ENI management for accepting to help in the construction of the said road.
OCTP Project
Eleven newly constructed and rehabilitated state-of-the-art school buildings with ancillary facilities were handed over to the people of Ellembelle by the OCTP Ghana Partners, led by Eni Ghana Exploration and Production Limited.
The project which took 16 months to complete forms part of the OCTP’s commitment to giving back to the community and improving the lifestyle of people in their host district, Ellembelle of the Western Region of Ghana.
Beneficiary schools included; Anyanzinli D/A basic school, Bakanta Catholic primary school, Sanzule/ Krisan basic school, Eikwe Catholic primary school, Eikwe Catholic JHS, Ngalekyi/Baku basic school, Anokyi Methodist primary school, Anokyi D/A JHS, Atuabo Methodist primary school, Atuabo Methodist JHS and Asem-Nda Suazo Methodist primary school
The schools will also enjoy uninterrupted power supply as they are fitted with solar panels, in addition to independent water supply and improved sanitation, all in the bid to promote sustainability.
The Managing Director of Eni Ghana, Valenti Giuseppe, addressing the chiefs and people of the Eastern Nzema Traditional Council, described the event as an all-important one as 16 months of hard work and support from stakeholders had yielded improved teaching and learning environments for beneficiary schools without any damage or harm.
“Good infrastructure improves school attendance and staff motivation. After teaching in these new classroom blocks, teachers will also get to rest in staff rooms. The canteens will be great places for eating hot meals and the AstroTurf will be good for extracurricular and sporting activities. The provision of an independent source of water and sanitation will improve the general well-being of students with the buildings also being child and disability friendly,” he said.
Mr Giuseppe applauded the OCTP Partners, World Bank and the Chiefs and people of the beneficiary communities for their contribution in ensuring the buildings were in line with their needs, while charging them to put the infrastructure to good use as well as maintenance.
The Western Regional Minister, Kwabena Okyere Darko-Mensah expressed gratitude to Eni Ghana and the OCTP Partners for investing in Ghana and the region in particular through their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activities.
He charged Eni Ghana and its partners to invest similarly in other parts of the region. “We want Eni, GNPC and Vitol to also invest in other parts of the region, prioritizing and tailoring infrastructure to meet the needs of these communities,” he said.
Awulae Amihere Kpanyinli III, Paramount Chief of the Eastern Nzema Traditional Council described Eni and its OCTP partners as the best among the lot to have operated in the area.
“Eni and its OCTP partners have built and renovated school buildings in our communities and that is something we cannot comprehend. We have seen other companies run operations from here but have never enjoyed the development given us by Eni and partners and such, we are very thankful for that,” the Chief said.
Pix: Kwesi Bonzoh – DCE
