From George Onyejiuwa, Owerri
The oil-producing communities of Agwa, Mgbala, Umuofeke and Umukpo, in Oguta council area of Imo State, erupted in wide jubilation penultimate week following the completion and inauguration of the first phase of electrification project undertaken by the Sterling Global Oil Resources Limited for its host communities.
The sight of electric light in the communities, which have been without this critical infrastructure for many years, even as oil-bearing communities, sent the people into a wild celebration.
Speaking at the inauguration, Engr. Anthony Ifeanyi Ahamefule, MD/CEO, Tony Best Technical Resource Ltd, the indigenous company that executed the electrification project, expressed gratitude to God that he had kept his promise of delivering a quality electric power to the host communities after several years of blackouts.
He said: “Recall that on the day of the flag-off ceremony of this project in Owerri, I said, ‘God is light, and if I should by this chance or opportunity bring electricity to Agwa successfully, I would have brought God to Agwa, since God is light’. And I announce to us today that the light of God has entered Agwa, likewise peace and development as we inaugurate this project today.
“It all started in December 2020, when Hon. Goodluck Opiah called a meeting for GMoU drafting between Agwa Oil Host Communities and Sterling Global Oil Resources Ltd, at Owerri. There, the representatives of the three oil-producing communities said the only thing they need from Sterling Global Oil Resources is electricity.”
He said they were able to surmount the challenges of vandalism of electricity installations, delay in release of funds for the project by the sponsor/bank processes, rise in dollar and government policies, leading to high cost of materials, labour and services, to civil disturbances from the community. He disclosed that they demobilized from the site on April 1, 2023, to save life and remobilized to the site in September 2023 with the intervention of the Reverend Fathers who brokered peace.
The contractor thanked the Agwa Electricity Implementation Committee, led by Comr. Prince Chidi Nwokocha, Engr. Prince Ukwu Chijioke Fortune, the late Eze Dr. I.O. Asor, the traditional rulers in Agwa, especially the traditional rulers of the host communities and the leadership of the Agwa Central Union (ACU) for their roles towards the realisation of the phase one of the project.
Engr. Chijioke Fortune, representative of Sterling Global Oil Resources Limited, said the company was not shying away from its responsibilities, as it has the intention to carry out development projects in the host communities, saying that the Agwa electrification project was a clear demonstration of it.
He commended the efforts of the contractor, and advised the host communities of Umuofeke, Mgbala and Umukpo to remain peaceful and ensure that they established a good working relationship with Sterling Global Oil Resources Ltd., as the company meant well for the people.
The traditional ruler of Uwaorie (Umukpo) Agwa autonomous Community, Eze Dr. Albanus Ozuruoha, thanked Sterling Global Oil Resources Ltd. for initiating the project in the host communities. He encouraged the company to release funds for the completion of the project to enable them have electricity as soon as possible.
While commending Tony Best Technical Resource for a job well done, he expressed their readiness to work with the oil company, and asked them to do more development projects in the area as part of their corporate responsibility.
He appealed to the oil company, Sterling Global Oil Resources Ltd to release funds for the contractor to continue the job, adding that they will remain grateful to the oil company, if it completes the job as soon as possible.