Okowa Lauds Seplat’s Community Relations Programmes
Governor of Delta State, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa has commended Seplat Petroleum Development Company for the giant strides it is making in the development of its host communities in Delta and Edo State.
Okowa spoke at the commissioning of eight projects embarked upon by the NPDC SEPLAT Joint Venture in the Ugborhen community in Sapele Local Government Area of the state. The projects commissioned by Okowa included: the 3.6km Elume-Ugborhen road; 3.4km Ugborhen-Ugbukurusu road; 3.76km Ugborhen-Ikeresan road; 1.09km Okuovu-1 community road; Concrete drainage system/ road protection in Ugborhen; Ugborhen Housing Scheme; Ugborhen Solar Powered Water Scheme; Two blocks of 4-Classrooms and Science Laboratory at Adaka Grammar School; Ugborhen Ultra-modern town hall and Civic centre.
The governor noted that investments by companies like Seplat in the development of host communities will go a long way to enhancing the confidence of indigenes of oil producing communities while encouraging peace in the Niger Delta and the country as a whole. He urged other oil prospecting companies to emulate Seplat’s consistent effort at developing their host communities. Okowa said: “I am glad to see partnerships like this between oil prospecting companies and their host communities. The job of government will be much lighter if oil companies and communities partner in this manner to develop our communities. I congratulate Seplat for the good work that it has done since it came into operation. I also congratulate the community for working together with the company as I look forward to seeing more oil prospecting companies engaging in this kind of positive relationships.”
The governor thereafter donated the sum of N10million to the community for the furnishing of the town hall and civic centre. He also promised to construct an examination hall at the Adaka Grammar School, Ugborhen.
Speaking earlier, Chief Executive Officer of Seplat Petroleum, Mr. Austin Avuru, who thanked the Governor for honoring Seplat’s invitation, explained that the welfare of members of the communities hosting the company’s operation would always remain the firm’s priority. He explained that Seplat was committed to the all-round development of citizens of these communities and that this influenced the decision to periodically embark on development projects affecting the health education and general wellbeing of the people as contained in the global MOU Seplat signed with its host communities in 2010.
Also speaking, the Orodje of Okpe Kingdom, His Royal Majesty, Major Gen. Felix Mujakperuo (Rtd), OrhueI, commended Seplat for the various projects with which it is transforming the landscape of host communities. He called for peace amongst communities in the area and urged Seplat not to relent in its effort to developing the area.