News
Oil Firm Reassures On Host Communities’ Dev
A multinational oil and gas company ,the Green Energy International Limited ,the operators of Otakikpo Marginal Field (OML 11) in Andoni Local Government Area of Rivers State, says it is committed to strengthening the social , environmental and economic development of its host communities in line with its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).
To this end, construction works at the company’s 12MMSCFD LPG extraction plant that will transform and impact the lives of its host communities of Ikuru Town,Agama Ekede ,Ayama Ekede, Asuk Oye and Asukama communities have commenced in earnest.
The Chairman of the company, Prof Anthony Adegbulugbe gave the assurance in his opening remarks at a stakeholders workshop organised by the company in Port Harcourt, yesterday
Represented by the Director in charge of Sustainability in the company, Mr Ayo Olejede, the chairman said ,the essence of the workshop was to provide a unique opportunity to brainstorm with sustainability experts in order to strengthen the social, environmental and economic development of the host communities, with support and collaboration of key institutions with a view to showcasing to all its numerous stakeholders how the company had journeyed to bring to fruition, its vision of creating a model of integrated energy company.
Adegbulugbe disclosed that the company had within the four years of operations and engagement contributed significantly to achieving some of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals through provision of the requisite basic infrastructure which would enable it deliever affordable and reliable energy that would propel social and economic progress within its host communities.
According to him, the concept of the company’s marginal field development is to use the Otakikpo Marginal Field to create a chain of economic opportunities where, after the oil is produced, the gas is utilised for powering the production of domestic cooking gas with a view to galvanising the economy of the communities and ultimately the economy of the country.
“I am pleased to announce to you that since September 2019 ,we have operated for over two million hours without no Loss of Time Injury (LTI) which indicates that our operations are being carried out within the highest level of safety standards”, he said.
“So far, we have utilised community contractors for majority of our projects and at the last count,our procurement exposure in terms of quantum of patronage is in excess of over N3billion. We are also happy to announce that we have ensured that both our skilled and unskilled staff have been drawn from the communities and the Niger Delta area.”he stated.
He urged the participants to develop inclusive CSR and sustainability frame work for advancing policy recommendations on environmental, social and governance issues to drive development in their communities in areas of natural resources and management particularly on protecting elephants and wildlife species in Andoni LGA and its environs as well as community electrification.
Earlier, the Permanent Secretary of Rivers State Ministry of Agriculture, Mrs Kindness Egbelu represented by Mrs Nkemdiri Oduya commended the company for its interest in capacity building programmes for its host communities.
According to her, “our people depend on biodiversity but biodiversity is under threat from the same people that depend on it”.
In an interview with newsmen, the Legal and Corporate Affairs Manager , Mr Segun Ilori said the workshop was designed to review some of the things the company was doing to building sustainability future, adding that the aim of the project was community driven and social responsibility intervention.
The Mayor of Housing, My-ACE China, has teamed up with a renowned hospital group in Port Harcourt, the Meridian Hospitals, which is in partnership with the Pilgrims Health Foundation, to carry out a one-day medical outreach last Tuesday.
The free treatment scheme took place at Oromenike Government Girls Secondary School in D-Line, Port Harcourt, with over 100 persons accessing free treatments, including free eye-glasses and booking for eye surgeries.
Other areas of treatment included general health consultations and treatment; blood pressure and sugar level testing; malaria testing and treatment; free prescriptions; preventive health talks focusing on hygiene, maternal health, and nutrition.
The scheme was conducted under the theme: ‘Bringing Healthcare to the Community.’
Newsmen who visited the venue of the scheme found that enthusiastic beneficiaries had thronged the area as early as 7a.m. After setting up, the medical team began attending to the patients.
Mr. Jerry Onwuso, a 63-year-old patient, who was first to see eye doctors and got eye glasses and drugs, told newsmen that he was pleased with the medical intervention.
He made it clear he did not pay any money to get all the treatments and glasses, and pleaded that the scheme be sustained.
Another patient, Loveth Sam, expressed satisfaction with the scheme and appealed to the sponsors to continue to increase the benefits.
Throwing some light on the scheme, Mr. China said he worked in Meridian Hospitals as a Lab. Scientist 19 years ago, but resigned because he could not bear to see patients struggling for life because they had no money to pay for treatment.
He said he came back to help extend free medical treatment to the less privileged.
Sources said China was always having issues with the hospital authorities when he would insist on critical patients being allowed to be treated first, with or without money.
Years later, China, who now goes by a brand name, the Mayor of Housing, returned to the Meridian Hospital headquarters to support free medical scheme.
He also went the next day to the headquarters of Meridian, after the one-day medical outreach, to give cash gifts and palliatives to workers he met when he worked there but had remained in service since he left.
He encouraged them to continue to give their all to humanity through the hospital. The Mayor of Housing called most of them by name and a cloud of emotions descended on them during the reunion.
Appreciating the gesture, the Founder and Chief Medical Director, Dr. Iyke Odo, said China had always manifested hard-work, ambition, and impulsive giving.
According to him, the then young bright boy was full of humanity, kindness, love, and made friends easily, adding that “not everybody that gives is a giver. The difference is that givers are given to give.”
Dr. Odo used the opportunity to call on governments to review Nigeria’s health insurance system and make it work in Nigeria to save lives.
He said it was sad watching critically sick persons abandoned because they did not have money for treatment.
He also condemned harsh tax and electricity tariffs whereby facilities like his now pay N12 million instead of N500,000 few years back.
He wondered why hospitals were being made to pay tariffs like oil companies, citing many other countries where medical facilities were placed on low rates and tariffs so they could charge moderate fees from patients.
The Renewed Hope Initiative in conjunction with the Rivers State Government has empowered 500 elderly citizens in Rivers State with financial support of N200,000 each.
The empowerment programme was part of activities to celebrate the third anniversary of the Renewed Hope Initiative Elderly Support Scheme RHIESS, a social investment policy initiated by the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu.
Speaking at the event which held at the Government House, Port Harcourt, recently, under the theme, ‘Finding Joy in Old Age,’ Senator Tinubu said the gesture which has become traditional since 2023 was a mark of gratitude in recognition of the invaluable contributions of the senior citizens to nation building.
The First Lady who was represented by the wife of the Rivers State Governor and State Coordinator of the Renewed Hope Initiative, Lady Valerie Fubara, said the scheme was to “support two hundred and fifty (250) vulnerable elderly citizens aged 65 and above in all the 36 states of the federation, the Federal Capital Territory, and veterans from the Defence and Police Officers’ Wives Association (DEPOWA) totalling 9,500 selected beneficiaries across the nation.
She urged the beneficiaries to engage in activities that will make them find joy in old age.
“I encourage you to continue playing your part by staying healthy and active, nurture both your body and mind through regular exercise and meaningful engagement,” Senator Tinubu advised.
On her part, Lady Fubara said the State Government through the magnanimity of the governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has increased the beneficiaries of the programme from 250 to 500.
She restated the commitment of the State Government towards provision of social welfare and improving the standard of living of the elderly in the State.
Also speaking, the Executive Secretary, Rivers State Contributory Health Protection Programme (RIVCHPP), Dr Vetty Agala, said the State Government has through the Health4allrivers Initiative, introduced free medical care for senior citizens in the State, in line with the Renewed Hope Initiative.
