As part of its corporate social responsibility to host communities, the Nigerian Petroleum Development Company, Benin, Edo State has donated 150 tricycles popularly called keke to OML 40 host communities in Delta.
Speaking during the presentation of the tricycles in NPDC Warri field office yesterday, the managing director, Mr. Mansur Sambo said that the initiative was in partnership with Elcrest JV.
Represented by Mr. Noble Imabibo, the Acting Manager, Community Relations, Mansur explained that the tricycles were donated to the people of (OML 40) to boost the economy of the host communities.
He said: “The initiative is to ameliorate the untold hardship ravaging the people of the communities.
“It is also geared towards curbing youth restiveness and idleness in the society as always known that an idle hand is the devil’s workshop.
“It is, therefore, pertinent to utilise this kind gesture to the best of your ability to better your lots ànd that of your families
“I advise you to eschew all forms of violence, radicalism and other action capable of creating societal unrest.
“NPDC is a friend to the communities where it operates, we are partners in progress and we share common bond towards sustaining the existing mutual relationship.”
Sambo pledged the company’s determination to improve on its corporate social responsibility(CSR) so as to bring about development in its area of operation.
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According to him, the tricycles would be shared equitably among the communities.
Also speaking, the Manager, Community Relations and Security, Elcrest JV. Mrs. Frances Omanruaye thanked the community leaders for maintaining peace in their various communities.
Omanruaye said” we want to say thank you all because we have achieved the level of peace we needed to do our job.
“I know that there are huge expectations from us, but this is just a token to show our appreciation. We pray that this peace will be sustained so that we can touch more lives.
“We are still drilling and producing, we crave for more cooperation and understanding from you, Your cooperation will enable us to do more.
Mr Obogun Aziboro, the secretary of the Tsekelewu community thanked NPDC/Elcrest JV for the gesture.
Aziboro said the gesture would reduce youth restiveness adding that, it would also enhance the mutual relationship between NPDC/Elcrest JV and its host communities.
Mr Jeffrey Wilkie, the secretary of the Tebu community said “we are happy that these tricycles will empower our jobless youths.
“We appreciate your efforts at reducing poverty in our communities, if all cooperate organisations in the state are doing things like this, the rate of unemployment would have reduced,” Wilkie said.
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