Residents of Koko community in Warri North Local Government Area of Delta State are in for a better health experience as Chevron/NNPC Joint Venture in collaboration with Development Africa, has stormed the area on a ‘Roll Back Malaria’ training and awareness campaign.
The kick-off programme, which was graced by government functionaries in Delta State, management of Chevron Nigeria Ltd (CNL) and NNPC and the people of Koko community, is aimed at eradicating malaria from the environment through preventive and curative measures.
An open workshop with tips on health education, and demonstration of how to curb the spread of deadly malaria diseases as well as its treatment was held to train selected health workers and enlighten the people on how to combat malaria-related health challenges.
Speaking at the event, General Manager, Policy, Government, and Public Affairs, Chevron Nigeria Ltd (CNL), Deji Haastrup, said the primary aim of the Roll Back Malaria programme was to check the incidence of malaria in the environment.
“I want to use this opportunity to thank the state government and other stakeholders for bringing the dream to fruition.
It is important to note that the event is a result of the collaboration between the Delta State government, the people of Delta State and NNPC/Chevron joint Venture,” the CNL boss noted.
Haastrup, who was represented by Coordinator Community Engagement, CNL, Mr Emmanuel Emeribe, decried the malaria prevalence in the country as well as its enormous toll on public health.
He added that although malaria is expensive to cure, the Chevron/NNPC Joint Venture believes that malaria is preventable, can be treated and can be eradicated.
According to him, this is why CNL is sponsoring this Roll Back Malaria programme, which, he said, also involves training of selected health workers, providing long lasting insecticide treated nets and provision of anti-malaria drugs to communities folks who are currently under the yoke of the disease.
Project manager of Development Africa, which is handling the Roll Back Malaria programme, Joshua Kempener, while addressing the host community, said the programme was all about elimination of malaria across prone areas in the state, including riverine areas.
He said during the programme, no fewer than 3, 000 durable and treated mosquito nets would be distributed to members of the host communities within two to three months to ensure the process achieve its set goals.
“We are here to assist the local community people, to educate them on how to eradicate malaria diseases.
“We will be distributing 3,000 long lasting mosquito treated net , provide medicine to fight against malaria to ensure good health, I want to appreciate everyone here and those who sponsor the programme,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Commissioner for Health Delta State, Dr Nicholas Azinge, represented by Francis Onojeta, thanked Chevron for the gesture, noting: “we are quite pleased with what we have seen today, am happy with what is being carried out here, malaria will be more treatable, the cooperation of the people is very important for peace and development.”
Beneficiaries of the programme, who went home with treated mosquito nets and other packs, however, lauded Chevron and others for the kick off of the Roll Back Malaria initiative, promising to keep the peace and rapport with the sponsors in the area.
A beneficiary, Gloria Ewetan, on behalf of others said “I thank them for what they did, the net, and other things given to us; we appreciate it all.”
Elizabeth Oritetineyin who also benefited from the exercise said in pidgin ” I happy well, them give me mosquito net, this thing them do better, to cover the children and myself, I dey happy.”
Highlights of the event were trainings on how to set the mosquito nets over beds and Itsekiri cultural troupe which entertained guests with good performances.
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