Niger Delta
TotalEnergies Commissions Seven Projects In Rivers Communities
As part of sustained deliberate corporate responsibility to improve the wellbeing of its host communities in Rivers State, the Total Energies EP Nigeria Limited, has inaugurated some key projects aimed at improving the living standard of its OML58 host communities across Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers State.
The projects inaugurated by Total Energies E P Nigeria Limited in partnership with NNPCL/TEPNG Joint Ventures include Obite Guest House/Holiday Resort; Obiyebe community housing unit and a modern market; renovated six classroom blocks (A&B); staff quarter and Corpers Lodge at Community Secondary School, Obagi. Also commissioned is Comprehensive High School’s staff quarter in Idu Obosukwu as well as 0.8kilometre Akurike Road in Oboburu community, all in Ogba/Egbema /Ndoni Local Government Area.
Speaking at the project commissioning held at the various communities in ONELGA, yesterday, the Deputy Managing Director, Joint Venture Asset Total Energies EP Nigeria Limited, Mr Guillaume Dulout expressed happiness that the projects commissioned would satisfy identified needs and also meet the welfare aspirations of the various OML 58 host communities.
Mr Dulout, who was represented at the occasion by the General Manager, Community Affairs and Development, CAPD, Total Energies EP Nigeria Limited, Engr Godspower Nwachukwu stated that the projects were carefully nominated by the communities where they are sited and were executed using community MoU development project model.
“These projects were conceived to address specific needs in the communities and to improve the people’s standard of living. I encourage the communities to take ownership of these completed projects and to put them into good use for the benefit of every one”, he said.
According to him, the completion of these projects at record time, when the nation’s economy is facing serious challenges, speaks volumes of the NNPCL/TEPNG JV partners’ commitment to communities where we operate, adding that it is a testament to sustaining the successful partnership with host communities.
“It is important to mention that as we are transiting from the MoU regime to the PIA era,it behooves our host communities to constructively engage their representatives in the Host Community Development Trust and objectively select projects and programmes that would be of benefit to the generality of the people rather than serving the interest of a select few”, he said.
“In conclusion, let me use this medium to congratulate the community vendors who executed the projects we are commissioning today. It is a testament to your ability to perform creditably when given the opportunity within the context of the local content policy,” he stated.
Also speaking, Group Managing Director (GMD), NNPC Nigeria Limited, Mr Bala Wuiti represented by the Deputy Manager, External Relations, NNPCL, Nigeria Limited, Mrs Edith .O. Lawson commended the communities for ensuring that the projects were executed as planned, adding that the projects stand as an embodiment of hope where communities’ progress can be achieved through shared ideas and visions for positive change.
He said NNPCL and its partners have at different times implemented various intervention programmes in the areas of education, skills acquisition, health and provision of solar power, among others.
The NNPCL GMD assured that it would consistently champion the implementation of community sustainability projects that would impact positively on the lives of the citizens of the country. “These projects are more than building and stones but are stimulus for change”, he stated.
In his own speech, the CDC Chairman of Obite community expressed gratitude to Total Energies Nigeria Limited and its partners for making the completion of the projects a reality, despite the hiccups encountered during the conception of the projects.
Akujobi Amadi