What's under this plate?

I was wondering what this plate does and what's under it? I'm not sure if I should just take it off and call it a day? I'd like to make sure it's not leaking anything I sprayed in there and going back into the engine?
Thank you for any experience...View attachment 1715443259
If you decide to sandblast that area, you must remove it and clean out the remnants....ask me how I know!!! :-)