Shell grants for six special projects
Shell Malaysia has awarded financial grants to non-government organisa ons (NGOs) that will undertake six special projects for the benefit of Sabahan and Sarawakian communi es.
PENAMPANG: Shell Malaysia has awarded financial grants to nongovernment organisations (NGOs) that will undertake six special projects for the benefit of Sabahan and Sarawakian communities.
Recipients of the Shell Sustainable Development (SD) Grants programme in Sabah comprised LEAP Spiral, Binturong Alam Ventures and Pacos Trust, while in Sarawak, the recipients were Light Up Borneo, UniMAS and Rumah Gareh.
LEAP will be implementing their pilot project on a community based ecologically sustainable fisheries in the lower Kinabatangan-Segama Wetlands to encourage the fishermen in the area to rely on fisheries instead of fishing.
The project will also include a commercial aspect to help the fishermen market their wares at an appropriate price and relevant markets.
Meanwhile, the Binturong Alam ventures will undertake a structured engagement programme in partnership with the marine police, Royal Malaysian Police and the Fisheries Department to educate and raise awareness on the pitfalls of fishing close to offshore platforms to the communities around Papar and Kota Belud.
As for Pacos Trust, they will implement community demonstration sites for the benefit of the rural folks in Sabah who practise subsistence farming.
“In Sabah, our relationship with the State goes beyond commercial benefits. In addition to the SD grants, Shell plays an active role in developing local community skills and enterprise development through our other partnerships and social investment activities.
“Shell builds on our legacy and long standing partnerships to achieve more together for environmental conservation, sustainable livelihood and traditions and empowering the next generation of Malaysians,” said Datuk Ian Lim, Sabah Shell Petroleum Company's general manager.
Meanwhile, Industrial Development Minister Datuk Raymond Tan said the State Government wanted companies such as Shell Malaysia to do well and be prosperous so that they can give back to the community in Sabah.
He also said that Sabah had begun diversifying its industries to stop its dependence on its forest.
He added that Sabah had cut a lot of its trees for logs 50 years ago, and it was now a period whereby the State was replanting what has been logged.
“It takes a lot of effort and commitment,” he stressed.
Also present at the event held at the Kivatu Nature Farm was Pacos Trust representative, Anne Lasimbang and former Moyog assemblyman, Datuk Philip Lasimbang.