By Onome Oghenetega
A new executive that will run the affairs of oil-rich Benikrukru community in Gbaramatu Kingdom of Warri South West Local Government Area of Delta State has been inaugurated amidst celebration.
The new chairman of Benikrukru, a major host to Chevron Nigeria Limited (CNL), Mr. Solomon Eris-Odu, said the new committee would attract rapid human and infrastructural development to the riverine community.
The inauguration which was witnessed by leaders, elders, youths and women was held at the Benikrukru Ultra-Modern Playground on Tuesday.
Those inaugurated are Boan. Solomon Eris-Odu, Chairman; James Orugbo, Vice Chairman; Comrade Kingsley Ukuli, General Secretary; Pastor Blessing Tortor, PRO; John Oboro, Assistant General-Secretary, and Patrick Famfegha, Treasurer.
Others are Bright Tortor, Organising Secretary; Livingstone Okoromadu, Financial Secretary; Uyaduofigha tonlagha, Welfare Officer; William Oleke, Assistant PRO, and Lucky Ifitimo, Internal Auditor.
Principal Counsel, E.K Omare Legal Practitioners & Company, Mr Eric Omare administered the oath of office on the new executive.
Addressing newsmen immediately after the inauguration, the new chairman, Mr Odu praised the outgoing executive led by the former chairman, Chief Godwin Olufemi, for the achievements recorded on their reign, pledging that his administration build on them as well as initiate fresh projects.
Odu stated that the new inaugurated executive will give development of education in the community high priority and strategise on better ways of attracting both human and infrastructural development to the community.
He said, “I am happy for what God has done from the beginning of the whole event till today. As a new community chairman, the members of the newly sworn in executive will sit together and strategise on formula that will ensure the community is well taken care of.
“Where the past executive developed the community, we will continue from there and take it to the next level. We will improve in the educational sector of the community so that things will be easy for our people.
“My executive and I will put head together to do remarkable things in the community so that all the people will be happy.
“Benikrukru is an oil producing community and so, I and my executive would be in synergy with the oil companies operating in our environment and the government to ensure more development.”
Similarly speaking, Barr. Kingsley Ukuli, the newly elected Secretary also said “Today has been ordained by God irrespective of the challenges we had, it actually came to pass.
“As the new elected Secretary-General of Benikrukru, I will ensure to work with my chairman, to look into the areas that needed attention and see how we can bring more development to the community.
“The shore protection line is one of the basic things we will ensure to carryout in this community.
“This community is a friend to the Federal Government and we will ensure things are done appropriately, so that the desired developments are brought into the community”.
Also speaking, President of Gbaramatu Youth Council (GYC), Comrade Christopher Wuruyei observed that the Godwin Olufemi-led executive understood the mechanism of community politics and development hence the reason the community witnessed steady progressive.
While admonishing the executive to be people-oriented in their governance, posited that the Solomon Odu-led executive would continue with the ongoing development in the counmmunity.
Earlier, the outgoing chairman of the community, Chief Godwin Olufemi counseled the new executive to provide service to the community and ensure that they performed better than his administration in bringing more development to the area.
Some of the elders and leaders of the community present at the inaugural ceremony included Pa John Ogio Okrika, the Amaokosuwei of Benikrukru; Chief Godpower Gbenekama (JP); Elder Officer Ojogun; Elder Samson Kalaposewei; Elder Lucky Ibime; Elder Rebort Ukeoluabo; Elder Happy Oleke; Elder Monday Itsero; Chief Azaiye Piniki; Chief Jeffrey Ojogun; Apt. Philip Tonfawei; Chief Joseph Wuruyai; Chief Paris Imoun; Elder Reuben Tonjoh and so on.
