The Federal Government has commenced confidence-building in line with the agreement it reached with Ogoni leaders as part of measures to resume oil exploration in Ogoniland.

It was gathered that the government had already started the rehabilitation of four key health facilities such as the General Hospitals each in Eleme, Khana,Terabor; and health centre K-Dere in Gokana.

The Ogoni leaders had demanded the establishment of the Federal University of Environment and Technology, Saakpenwa/Koroma; reconstruction of the Eleme section of the East-West Road; and consideration of qualified Ogonis for employment at NNPC Limited as well as interventions on critical infrastructures in Ogoniland.

While most of the demands had been met, it was gathered that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu dispatched a monitoring team from the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA) led by Ojukaye Flag-Amachree, Director of Energy Security; Goodluck Ebelo, Special Assistant to the NSA and Prince Austin Kabari, Secretary of the Energy Security Working Group, to the area to facilitate the demands.

The monitoring team reportedly visited key locations such as the East-West Road, the Federal University of Environment and Technology campus, health facilities, and the proposed site for an industrial park, among others to see the extent of work.

Speaking at the weekend, the Acting Chairman of the Nyo-Khana Area Council of Chiefs and Elders, Mene Sunday Kabari-Nule, confirmed that progress was ongoing expressing hope that the hospital projects would help combat sicknesses in the area.

He said: “This project is for the Nyor Khana people, and they are very happy. For Taabaa as a community, it’s what they have been praying for to revive that hospital and now we have a brand-new one. You can feel the happiness everywhere in the community”.

He commended the Federal Government for the initiative and prayed for its speedy completion.

He said: “Right now we are happy with President Tinubu and the Federal Government for bringing this to us, and we are praying that God should grant them the grace to complete the project on time so that we can start using it,” he added.

The Community Development Committee Chairman of Taabaa, Elder Prince Neekpoabie also expressed confidence that the contract, when completed, would significantly improve health of the people

He said the project, which was being revived after many years of abandonment would tackle health issues in the area adding that it had already employed many community youths reducing criminal activities in the area.

“The youths,.who previously had no jobs are now working here, which has helped reduce crime in the area,” he said.

Also, the Youth President of Taabaa, Nwikeh Torue, said community youths were happy with the government and pledged maximum security for the site, assuring contractors of a safe working environment.

“I am here to assure the contractors and workers of maximum security at the site; no one will interfere with their work,” he said.

The Project Manager at the site, Mr. Azubuike Lucky, said that the community had been cooperative since work began, noting that most of the workers were indigenes.

“You can see our progress,.the people are working with us cordially. We have had no issues since arrival,” he said. (The Nation)