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From Ben Dunno, Warri
Management of NNPC Exploration & Production Limited (NEPL/ND Western), OML 34, has distributed tons of food items and drinks to people within its operational areas in Delta State as part of its yearly routine in ensuring that indigenes of its various host communities have more than enough in celebrating the Yuletide season.
The items, comprising bags of rice, cartons of groundnut oil, salt, non-alcoholic wines and gins, as well as cash sums, were distributed to indigenes of these host communities through their various representatives at the company’s Edjeba office in Warri South Local Government Area of the state.
Speaking with newsmen at the venue of this year’s distribution of the items, the Manager, Government, Community and Security Department (GCSC), Mr. George Nwasiolo, who represented the Chief Operating Officer (COO) OML 34, Mr. Oghenekaro Oviaiti, noted that the donation was in line with the company’s yearly gesture in appreciating the various host communities for their peaceful disposition towards its operations.
“As you are aware, we are in these communities to do business and the focus of any businessman is to make profits, which can only be realised when there is an atmosphere of peace between the company and the indigenes of these communities, either as impacted or non-impacted areas to our operations.
“What we are doing today, and like we have been doing in previous years, is to keep appreciating these various communities for their understanding and the peaceful atmosphere they have created for our business to grow in their areas. And we have decided to sustain this goodwill as a way of promoting our cordial relationship.
“This gesture has become part of the company’s policy as we have come to the realisation that both the company and indigenes of these various communities must be happy together for the purpose of enhancing our mutual benefits,” he stated.
On the issue of feedback from community indigenes since the items were usually handed over to their representatives, Mrs Eunice Akpurhobo, NEPL/ND Western OML34 Community Interface Coordinator, described the response from the various community indigenes as both fantastic and exciting, adding that they all look forward to another year-end to receive the company’s items.
“I can tell that the community indigenes, especially the women, are always happy with the gift items to their communities.
“Some of them look forward to it, and some that have access to the company have started calling since September and October to remind us of it.
“The only thing about it is just the human factor, as most of them are always requesting for more, and that is why the company has taken it upon itself to continue to improve on what we give out on a yearly basis. And if you observe, you will also notice that what we are packaging this year is better than last year’s. So it keeps getting better,” she stated.
President Generals (PGs) of Ewghekeka and Otedo communities, Prince James Onovughe and Kennedy Egole respectively, expressed gratitude to the company for the kind gesture they have sustained over the years and assured that their indigenes would continue to create an enabling environment for the peaceful operation of the company in their areas.
In all, about 36 host communities, captured in various categories as field areas or impacted communities and the non-oil producing areas, mostly referred to as residential areas, benefited from the items donated by the company.
