The people of Bomu Community in Gokana Local Government Area of Rivers State have expressed gratitude over the advocacy activities of Ford Foundation/Connected Development, CODE, in their area, saying it is beginning to yield positive results.
The Bomu CDC chairman gave the indication in the palace of HRH Mene Benedict Tenalo Gbereleve XIII, when the community received in audience, officials of CODE who visited them on Saturday, February 11, 2023, to track abandoned projects in that community.
Abuja programme officer of Ford Foundation/ Connected Development, CODE, Nkem Ibeh, who represented the chief executive of the organization, Hamzat Lawal, explained that the team was in their domain to hear their views concerning some of the abandoned projects there.
According to Nkem Ibeh, “We have noticed overtime that despite the huge resources of Nigeria coming out of this community, they still suffer underdevelopment, lack of access to basic amenities such as health, education, water, sanitation and hygiene facilities.
“That is why we are here today to empower the community with information on how to go about demanding accountability because there are resources allocated to this community through the constituency projects and so on.”
She told them that CODE serves as a bridge between the community and stakeholders to ensure that development comes into the community.
On her part, Rivers State Lead CODE, Evelyn Williams noted that the project she and the Community Champion there, Nwigbalor Gideon have been tracking in Bomu, is the Community Secondary School project.
“When we visited the project site last time, the teachers took us round, there were lots of dilapidated structures in that place, and there were ongoing class rooms’ construction. Based on that, we were able to draft an FOI letter requesting information about the project”, Williams stressed.
She called for feedback from the community people.
In his response, one of the community chiefs, Chief Mike Sana Madee informed the visitors that concerning the Secondary School project they were tracking, two buildings there have been completed, explaining, that one of the buildings was constructed Shell while the other was y a good spirited individual from the community.
He said one of the buildings has been handed over while the government has been written to in respect of the dilapidated buildings for necessary action. He urged CODE to add its voice to their demand.
“The other dilapidated buildings that you saw, we have written for it through the paramount ruler, and we are expecting that government should do something about it.
“I want to solicit and ask that you do your own bid by pushing forward that those buildings should be repaired”, Chief Mike Madee appealed.
The state Lead CODE, Evelyn Williams expressed joy over the success story of the community, and urged them not to relent in demanding for the completion of the remaining structures, assuring that CODE will continue to push their case before relevant authorities.
Contributing, the CDC chairman pointed out that the community has a health center but the facilities there have gone obsolete and need replacement.
“We need ambulance; there is no water, no light, and no quarter for doctors and nurses”, he pointed out.
CODE community champion, Nwigbalor Gideon praised the people of Bomu Community for their cooperation, reiterating that it has been a community he loves so much.
“Bomu doesn’t have water and other amenities”, the community champion noted, revealing that, “a lot of money has been earmarked for Ogoni development but nothing is done. Money has been released, but what is the state of Bomu?” he asked.
In his vote of thanks, Barikor ThankGod appreciated Ford Foundation/CODE for their good and commendable initiatives and appealed that they visit from time to time.
Barikor stressed that safe drinking water, light, well-equipped health center, fencing of the secondary school, and other essential amenities, remain their challenges. He expressed optimism that with Ford Foundation/CODE, they will achieve their goals.
A brief meeting comprising only the community’s CDC chairman, his executives, community women leaders and CODE officials was held, where the community further articulated their views and demands.
