Over time, corporate institutions have come to assist governments in tackling social challenges through their social responsibility budgets. This is with clear understanding that governments alone cannot fulfil all the social needs. It is also with the consideration of creating social harmony between the company and the society.
It is calculated that between 2014/2015, about N37 billion has spent by 100 leading companies in various sectors on CSR projects nationwide but figures and result on impact of this expenditure is possibly absent.
However, some of companies’ projects have fallen short of the CSR concept. Among many organizations, there is lack of clear understanding of what exactly CSR is as many organisations projects’ lack the CSR’s underlining principle of sustainability.
According to experts, CSR projects must create the necessary impact and the project must be sustainable for society gain. Companies with this enduring perceptive have embarked on social projects that are not only lasting and impactful but have strengthened the bond of friendship between them and the society. For instance, the town along Idumuje Ugboko in Delta State would continue to be delighted at the commissioning of 2 km road constructed by Rainoil Limited, an integrated downstream oil and gas company. The commissioning of the road last April is coming at a time Federal Government is emphasizing on agriculture and transportation for easy access for farming and business.
This road, no doubt would enhance business and enable transportation of food stuff that would ordinarily go bad due to no access for buyers. It is not disclosed how much this project cost the company’s with operations spanning across the downstream value chain i.e. Petroleum Product Storage, Haulage/Distribution and Retail Sales. Our primary products include Petrol (PMS), Diesel (AGO) and Kerosene (DPK) but the benefits to the indigenes of the area is enormous.
It is instructive that the road is not construted for direct gain of the company but for all different people. It is hoped that the company continues to maintain the road to underscore the sustainability.
Also within this year, the company incorporated in incorporated in 1994 but commenced business in 1997 had embarked on other social activities which include health screening exercises in various schools Benue, Delta, Lagos, Cross River and Akwa Ibom states.
When the Rainoil team arrived at St Michael primary school Effiat Offort, Uyo, a few poles away from Rainoil service station Uyo, it was that the headmistress of the school immediately mobilized the pupils and the teachers to their assembling grand where they were addressed on the need for proper medical check- up. About 383pupils were attended to. General medical check-up was carried upon them, ranging from eye screening, sugar level test and blood pressure test on the teachers.
Other institutions such as Infant Jesus Orphanage Calabar, Mercifful Orphanages, Oghara Delta state, Pacelli Schol for the blind Surulere, Barnabas Agenlican Orphanage, Asaba, Delta State and Modupe Cole Akoka, Lagos have benefited from medication donations from oil company which has giving due regard to each other, customers, suppliers and other external stakeholders, in all situations as its core part of its core value.
Olasumbo Wright, Brand and Corporate Communications Manager said Rainoil operates a number of different programmes and initiatives aimed at positively impacting and giving back to the communities where it operates on a sustainable basis.
“Our CSR cover Health / Social Welfare – financially supporting orphanages, motherless babies’ homes and other identified areas of need in our local communities. Rainoil considers community requests for supporting meaningful causes which serve the public interest”.
It is true that corporate social responsibility would not solve all the soceity’s challenges, but such projects as embarked upon by Rainoil would definitely make an impact in the lives of some communities who are part of the society.
