Yuletide: Firm’s Intervention Keeps Host Communities’ Hopes Alive

Alex Enumah in Abuja 

Hope of a joyous Christmas and end of the year came the way of host communities in the oil producing areas following the intervention of an oil and gas firm, NEPL/NDW OML 34.

The firm, as part of its annual corporate social responsibility (CRS), distributed food items and associated drinks worth several millions of naira to indigenes of the various oil producing communities as part of efforts at tackling the high inflation rates, especially during this festive period.

The items, which included bags of rice, cartons of groundnut oil, salts, non-alcoholic beverages and gins, as well as cash sums, were handed over to the executive bodies of the various host communities at the company’s office in Edjeba, Warri South Local Government Area of Delta State.

Speaking at the occasion, the Chief Operating Officer (COO) of OML 34, Mr. Karo Oviaiti, noted that the goodwill was aimed at sustaining the priority placed on the wellbeing of the indigenes within its operational areas.

Oviaiti, who was represented by the Manager, Government, Community and Security Department (GCSC), Mr George Nwasiolo, while observing the cordial working relationship between the company and its various host communities over the years, disclosed that 2024 was a resounding year, as it recorded zero damage to its operational facilities and also hitch-free operations in its entire location.

According to him, the management embarked on this annual gesture “to show its appreciation to the indigenes of these host communities for their support and friendly disposition to the operations of the company in their areas and we want them to sustain this partnership in the coming year”.

He said besides the yearly Christmas package, the company also engages in impactful CSR that are all in line with the yearnings of the people, adding that this also contributed to building trust and understanding between the company and the people in the various host communities.

In their remarks, the President-General (PG) and Secretary of Oghior community in Udu Local Government Area, Moses Uchere and Markson Koyaya, applauded the management for being able to meet up with the yearly gesture considering the current state of the economy and assured the people of their continued support to its operations in their community.

They however pleaded with the company to do more in terms of increasing the numbers of items being given to their community, since what was usually handed over to them does not get to everyone in the community due to their huge population, essentially women and children.

Also, both present and past President General of Usiefrun community In Ughelli South, Patrick Ajenirena, and Kutu Egwono, commended the company’s management for the sustenance of the gesture and expressed the commitment of their people in fostering the cordial relationship between both parties.

In his remark, Professor Aguwe, President-General (PG) Okurode-Urhobo community in Warri South and Lugard Okotete as well as Charles Okotete, Secretary and Provost, respectively, appreciated the management for always extending the gesture to them every year and promised to ensure it got to the people it was meant for in the community.

The benefitting communities are drawn across Delta Central and South Senatorial Districts, where the company’s operational facilities are mostly concentrated.