THE NNPC-Gas Infrastructure Company Limited (NGIC) has inaugurated and handed over two blocks of 20 lock-up shops to Ugbokodo community in Okpe Local Government Area of Delta State.
The donation was part of NGIC’s corporate social responsibilities (CSR) and to show commitment to the development of its host communities.
The Managing Director of NGIC, Seyi Omotowa, who officially inaugurated the project, said it was the company’s desire to continue to have a smooth relationship with host communities.
Omotowa, who was represented by the Executive Director, Business Services, Mr. Kazachiyang Nuhu, noted that NGIC is a socially responsible organisation whose community relations philosophy views the host communities as partners with the desire that they buy into its business opportunities.
“As a gas transportation company with a vision to support the economic growth of Nigeria, our gas pipelines infrastructure network traverses over 2,500km across over 350 host communities in 11 states of the federation.
“As a responsible and responsive company, we remain committed to developing and sustainable relationship with our host communities. Their wellbeing is paramount in our corporate social responsibility’s thrust and this is simply why we are here today.
“Therefore, we present to you these two blocks of 20 lock-up shops as a token of our contribution to the development of this community which we cherish dearly as one of our peace-loving communities,” he said.
He solicited the cooperation and assistance of the community in the maintenance of peace in order to support the business growth and aspirations for the benefit of the people of Ugbokodo community and Nigerians generally.
He pledged that NGIC will always encourage and appreciate communities that promote peace, dialogue and understanding in the resolution of any issue.
He, therefore, urged the people of Ugbokodo community to safeguard the project by putting in place adequate security measures to protect it.
In his remarks, chairman of Ugbokodo community, Christopher Ofoye, appreciated NGIC for inaugurating the project and for the gesture on their performance of social responsibility.
“NNPC Gas Infrastructure is, indeed, a friend of Ugbokodo community with human meekness compared to other oil companies exploiting us,” he said.
He highlighted NGIC’s contributions to Ugbokodo community to include but not limited to novel skills acquisition, training and empowerment, construction and donation of four classroom blocks, among others.
He charged other companies operating in the area to emulate NGIC by doing the needful to foster relationship.Ofoye also appealed to NNPC-NGIC to endeavour to complete the remaining market project based on its already submitted architectural drawings, consider their denied slots in body-shops recruitment and engagement of their graduates in Young Professional (YP) programme of NGIC and to inaugurate the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) team with NGIC management as host community.
Ofoye also assured NGIC that the people of Ugbokodo community will put the market to good use and maintain same for the economic purpose for which it is built and donated.
Present at the event were the Manager, Corporate Communications Department of NGIC, Mrs. Victoria Nwakuche; the acting chairman of Okpe Local Government Area of Delta State, Mr. John Ofofo; Ugbokodo community youth president, Mr. Phillip Ukeredi; Conference Chairman, Goodluck Etieyibo; representative of the Orodje of Okpe kingdom, Chief Dele Ugbokodo; Chief Clifford Ikpikpini and his wife, among others.
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