NPA Doles out Food Items to Host Communities

The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has doled out food items to its host communities in Rivers State.

The food items include bags of rice, bags of beans and gallons of groundnut oil.

It said the donation was part of the measures it has put in place to reach out to the people in its host communities.

The host communities are spread across three Local Government Areas of the oil and gas rich state.

They include Onne, Ogu and Eleme communities. They are the host communities to Onne Port Complex, Onne, Rivers State.

The authority said the donation of the food items were part of its corporate social responsibility (CSR).

A statement issued by the NPA, Onne Port Complex, Port Harcourt, Port Public Relations Manager, Mrs. Barbara Ejemeh Nchey-Achukwu said the food items were coming at a critical time when “Stomach Infrastructure Policy” in parts of the country is now gaining acceptance in view of the current economic recession in the country.

Handing over the food items to the paramount ruler and clan head, Onne, HRH King Dr. J.D Osaronu, the Port Manager, Onne Port, Alhassan Ismaila Abubakar said he was at the Palace of Onne Monarch, on behalf of the NPA Managing Director, Ms Hadiza Bala Usman to personally hand over the food items sent by her from Lagos.

“Your Royal Highness, my Managing Director sent me here to greet you. She appreciates you and the co-operation of your people (Onne) towards NPA in Onne and all the companies doing business at Onne Port area”, he said.

The Port Manager  stated that the items were part of the way NPA management is using to show appreciation to its host communities, for the ongoing cordial relationship/ peaceful environment.

“The chief executive officer of Nigerian Ports Authority thanks you and the good people of Onne. She urges you to continue to maintain peace and solicits for women, men and youths of Onne to remain on the same peace – page’’, Abubakar added.

Osaronu in his response expressed appreciation to Usman for her kind gesture. He also commended Abubakar for delivering the message from his boss.

“Please tell her that we are appreciative for the concern she has shown to my people”, the paramount ruler said.

He expressed his gratitude to Onne Port Manager, for acknowledging that Onne people are maintaining peace and order.

He noted that the relationship between the port management and Onne people are improving. “I know that before now there used to be skirmishes” the monarch recalled.

“Remember to thank the NPA Managing Director for the kind gestures. We are grateful, and may God bless you people”, he prayed.

He however asked NPA to show more commitment to his people.

“What you have done today is great. We will continue to co-operate with you. We guarantee you peace. No harm will come to you and your company”, he said.

The paramount ruler recalled that prior to the arrival of NPA to Onne, that things used to be very difficult for his people, but observed that all of that changed when NPA and other companies operating at Onne started operations.

He expressed regret that with the economic down turn, Onne indigenes and youth working at other companies have lost their jobs, as they have been dropped.

“We do not want that to continue”, he said. He appeals to government to find way to address the cause of the job losses.

He therefore assured Onne Port Manager that as a people they will continue to maintain peace and partner with the NPA.

“As I am on this throne, my youths will not make trouble. May God continue to bless you” the Monarch prayed for Onne Port Manager in particular and NPA Management in general.

Similar gestures were also extended to Ogu community in Ogu/Bolo Local Government Area and Ele Community in Okrika Local Government Area, Rivers State.

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