Seplat Petroleum Development Company Plc, a leading indigenous independent oil and gas company has again demonstrated a commendable gesture in fulfilling its corporate social responsibility by bringing smiles to those impacted by the recent floods in some parts of Imo state.
The company donated a truck load of relief materials worth millions of naira to displaced victims of recent flood disaster in the state. It could be recalled that in the third quarter of 2019 no fewer than 15 communities were submerged by flood in the river-rine and oil-producing local government areas of Ohaji Egbema and Oguta in Imo State some include Mmahu, Etekuru, Obiaakpu, Abor, Oguta I and II, Ezi Orsu, Orsu Obodo, Umuorji, Abacheke amongst others.
The State Governor, Emeka Ihedioha, who received the company with his Deputy Gerald Irona and other top government functionaries welcomed Seplat’s kind gesture. He said the state government appreciates Seplat’s sense of collaboration and fulfillment of its corporate social responsibility. He assured the company that Imo state will provide an enabling environment for a continued robust partnership.
Chioma Nwachuku, General Manager External affairs and Communications, SEPLAT, while presenting the relief items comprising bags of rice, mattresses, groundnut oil and mosquito nets said the Company is happy to complement the efforts of the Imo State government in providing succor to the displaced victims of the flood with its donation.
She added that the State is a major stakeholder of Seplat and that the company continuously watches with interest events in the state and aim at creating a mutually benefitting relationship with the state on all levels. In her words “ we at Seplat Petroleum development company, are mindful that the state is our partner and a major stakeholder; we remain ready to partner with the state government to provide better quality of life for her people.
“We are hopeful that our donation will alleviate the sufferings of the displaced flood victims in Imo state. We wish to support the loving governor who cares for his people to effectively bring succor to those impacted by the flood. We have therefore come with relief materials for distribution to the victims ” Nwachuku said.
Governor Ihedioha while thanking SEPLAT assured the company representatives that the relief materials will be distributed judiciously and directly to the flood displaced victims; he added “we thank you for your concern and for your usual partnership’. The team from Seplat in addition to Nwachuku included the company’s Operations Director Effiong Okon, General Manager Eastern Asset Ayodele Olatunde, Base Manager, East Emeka Onyeagba and Jeff Chinda of Community Relations.
In his response, the Governor also stated that he was recently apprised by a SEPLAT executive of the company’s plan to commence construction of the road leading to Seplat’s ANOH project site . He used the occasion to urge the company to fast track the road construction. In a swift response, Effiong Okon, Seplat Operations Director reassured the governor that the company is expeditiously working at commencing and finishing construction of the said road in good time. The road is within the vicinity of the $700 million Assa North /Ohaji South gas business development project of Seplat Petroleum Development Company Plc. The ANOH project upon completion is expected to account for 40% of domestic gas supply; it will benefit the economy and deliver significant value to the state and all other stakeholders.
The governor also noted the state is looking forward to additional partnership with the company in the education sector especially in promotion of technical education. Concluding the Governor stated “we are also happy that Seplat is one of the operators in the state with a physical office in Owerri this means that you have become a responsible corporate citizen of Imo state. We appreciate your contributions and we assure you that Imo is home for you, we also assure you that these materials here will be judiciously utilized”
Iheanyi Nwachukwu
