Total Pledges To Boost Host Areas Economy

The Deputy Managing Director,  Total E&P Ltd Port Harcourt District Mr Denis Berthelot,  Limited on Thursday restated the company’s preparedness to stimulate enterprises that would promote economy of host communities.

Berthelot said this during the inauguration of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC)/Total Nigeria Limited. joint venture projects in Obite, Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government area of Rivers State.

The Tide reports that the projects commissioned were the Small/Medium Enterprise Development Network (SME-DN) Centre and the Egi Arts and Culture Development Centre in Obite.

Others were,’  the Egi Technical Workshop in Erema community and Hp Microenterprise Acceleration Programme (MAP) Centre in Obagi community.

He said that the projects were aimed at involving the people in economic development programmes and to strategise development in the area, pointing out that Total’s decision to shift from infrastructure to human capital and entrepreneurship development is a step in the right direction.

He said that he was optimistic that SME-DN would harness numerous economic resources and opportunities of host communities, adding that the socio-economic growth could not be over-emphasised in human capital development.

He said that the projects would remain landmark achievements in the partnership history of the people and Total E& P Nigeria Limited.

“This is another significant milestone in our operational relationship with our host communities,” Berthelot said.

Rev. Mike Yeshua, Centre Manager of the projects, said that the projects would create wealth and employment as well as fortify the local economy.

“This is an opportunity for capacity building and I thank God that our people are beginning to realise the importance of self-determination.

“The paradigm is gradually shifting from contract-driven to enterprise-driven economy,” he said.

Yeshua said that the programme would also sustain empowerment and partnership even when oil and gas would be shut down.

Mr Raymond Wokocha, the Chairman, Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA, commended the gesture of Total E& P Nigeria Limited, saying that the projects would be properly used by the people.

Wokocha urged the communities to support the scheme through proper handling of the facilities, and gave the assurance that his administration would continue to promote policies that would develop the council and empower its people.