Ogu kingdoms in
Ogu/Bolo Local Government Area of Rivers State have urged oil companies
operating in the area to improve on the living condition of the
residents.
They urged the companies to undertake
infrastructural and human development programmes rather than carrying
out projects that would not have direct impact on the people.
The community made the call while receiving a community development programme for the area.
The programme, which includes a medical
outreach on the treatment of cancer and tuberculosis awareness campaign,
was launched by Divine Health and Good Society Foundation and Universal
Basic Development and sponsored by NNPC/MPN Joint Venture, ExxonMobil.
The company also as part of its social
responsibility to the communities also donated a 16-seater bus to the
youths of Ogu.
A representative of the Community
Development Committee, Ogu Town, Engr. Omieibi Arnold Davids, said it was
necessary for the companies operating in the area to be more committed
to its social responsibilities to their host communities.
The CDC chairman, who lamented the poor
state of infrastructure in the place, said infrastructural and manpower
development were key and the most needed in the area, calling on the
companies to be active in that regards.
He said, “The communities of Ogu/Bolo,
which play host to some companies in the state need infrastructural and
manpower development. Infrastructure and human development mean so much
to us. We call on the companies to create projects that every person in
Ogu/Bolo will see and feel.”
Similarly, the Chief Whip of Rivers
State House of Assembly, Hon. Evans Bipi, who spoke through one of the
leaders in the area, Mr. Godson Tende, urged the oil companies in the
area to live up to their responsibility.
Bipi lauded ExxonMobil and its joint
venture partners for the health programmes and the bus donated,
promising that the communities would continue to maintain a good working
relationship with the company for the sake of development.
Earlier in his address, the General
Manager, Public and Government Affairs, Mobile Producing Nigeria, Mr.
Paul Arinze, said the company would do more in the area of development.
Arinze, who spoke through his
representative at the handover ceremony, Mr. Yemi Fakayejo, said it was
necessary for companies to reinvest in the community in the interest of
development.
He said the company was happy to bring
awareness and testing for the two leading causes of death in the world;
cancer and tuberculosis.
“Nigeria ranks Number four in the world for all reported cases of death caused by breast cancer and eleven for prostate cancer.
“For TB, Nigeria ranks 38 out of 172
countries of the world. Both diseases continue to take a toll on the
human race, more particularly in developing nations like Nigeria.
“This is why we have chosen to bring
this awareness and medication for other ailments in other to eradicate
diseases in our communities,” Arinze said.
Copyright PUNCH.
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