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By Joel Anekwe
Total Exploration and Production Nigeria Limited (TEPNG), operator of the NNPC/TEPNG Joint Venture, early in the week empowered members of the Egi community in Ogba-Egbama-Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers State, host to the Oil Mining Lease (OML) 58, with the provision of 16 mini-buses and 40 tri-cycles, popularly called Keke.
Speaking at the handing over of the vehicles, deputy general manager, Community Affairs and Development, James Urho, said the programme was consistent with the company’s investment in “people and giving them skills and the wherewithal to progress, with an aim to build the society.”
Urho, who was represented by the manager, Enterprise Development, Patrick Idoko, said that TEPNG has continued to identify and support micro and small scale enterprises with the potential of creating wealth for individuals within the ambit of the community.
He said: “Today’s event is another facet of the several well-intentioned interventions by the company to encourage and boost enterprise development within our host communities. You have witnessed the various micro-credit, agricultural and entrepreneurial skills trainings and assistance given to various groups with the belief that assisting our people to take off will enable them soar and grow to their potentials.”
He said the handover of the vehicles was expected to, amongst other things support the intra and inter communal movement of persons, goods and services within the local economy.
“The programme today is structured such that they are prudently used to generate income for the beneficiaries, they also will be in the position to pay off the cost of the items so that the income generated can be used to re-launch the same scheme for others to benefit from,” Urho stated.
He urged them to be faithful to their monthly remittances for the vehicles so that others desirous of participating in the programme would have the opportunity to do so, adding that “the success of this scheme will also enhance the support for its continuation and sustainability.”
Speaking on behalf of the host community stakeholders, president general, Egi People’s Assembly, Magnus Elemele, expressed joy over the programme and praised all those behind the idea of the programme, both from the community and company levels.
He made particular mention of the manager, Enterprise Development, Idoko, noting that lots of things have been going on since his assumption of office.
“I want to tell Egi people that if you meet Mr. Idoko, he will teach you how to catch fish. He has empowered many people in the community through various programmes,” he declared.
Elemele charged the people “we need to empower ourselves, we need to be enterprising to show to Total that we cannot solely depend on them. It is a challenge to all Egi people, a very big challenge to all of us. These are opportunities people out there are looking for.”
He advised beneficiaries to do their best to ensure that Total’s dream does not die in their hands and undertook to ensure that the vehicle is retrieved from anyone defaults on the repayment agreement.
