Oil & Energy
Eroton E & P Launches Projects In Okrika
As part of efforts to improve the living standard of the host communities in Rivers State, an oil company, Eroton Exploration and Production, with its joint venture partner, has commissioned some life-impacting projects in Okrika Local Government Area of Rivers State.
Some of the projects executed include, renovation of six classroom blocks at Okrika National College, construction and equipment of ICT Centre, school library and science laboratory at Comprehensive Secondary School, Ibaka, and commissioning of solar powered water project, and 1,500 capacity ultra-modern town hall at Okochiri kingdom.
The Tide reports that the projects were executed under the Global Memorandum of Understanding (GMoU) platform managed by Wakirike Cluster Development Board.
Eroton E&P is a joint venture partner with the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) in the operation of Oil Mining License (OML)18, covering Alakiri and Orubiri fields in Okrika, which until 2014 belonged to Shell.
Speaking at the event last Friday in Okochiri, the Managing Director/CEO, Eroton E&P, Ebiaho Emafo, represented by the company’s Chief Security Officer, Pere Abare, commended the peaceful disposition of the people, saying the projects could not have been completed without the cooperation of the host communities.
The Group Managing Director, NNPC, Emele Kolo Kyari, represented by NAPIMS Public Affairs Officer, Mrs Tolupe Derin-Adefuwa, said NNPC through the joint venture partner, bore about 55% cost of the several community development projects across the country.
She stated that JV partners had also embarked on education, health, water project and physical infrastructures, urging the host communities to consolidate on the existing peace for business to thrive.
The chairman, Okrika Local Government Council, Philemon Iwoloma Kingoli, while commending the company for the gesture, expressed his displeasure over the absence of regular electricity supply in Okrika, in spite of the abundance of gas and the presence of NNPC refinery in the area.
He also charged Eroton to employ indigenes of the cluster development area.
The Wakirike Cluster Development Board (WCDB) secretary, Barr. Benibo Tamunosusu Alayemieka, said that in spite of the projects commissioned, there were other on-going projects in the area which include, shore protection project at Ofiaminama community, fish farm project, oversees scholarship awards to post-graduate students and 200 students preparing for West African School Certificate Examination in Okrika, each year.
Others are donation of 1,000 school desks, 100 tables, chairs and books to secondary schools.