Sopuruchi Onwuka
Seplat Energy Plc declares that it has commissioned the project for power supply to Oben Cottage Hospital from its Oben gas facility at Oben Orhionmwon Local Government Area of Edo State.
Spokesman, Dr Chioma Nwachuku, stated that the power supply to the hospital was part of the company’s continuous community development programme.
She said the project was in line with Seplat’s mandate to continue to do more for its host communities and ensure continuous value creation by Seplat to the people.
Managing Director, Seplat West Limited, Mr. Folorunsho Afolabi, who represented the Chief Executive Officer of the group, said: “The company has worked assiduously to put in place a reliable option for potentially uninterrupted 24-hours power supply to the Hospital for the long-term. To ensure a more sustainable constant power supply we continued with our plan to supply electricity to the hospital from our facility here in Oben.”
“Seplat is therefore happy with this epoch-making commissioning ceremony. The project is designed to provide the Cottage Hospital uninterrupted power supply directly from our Oben new Field Logistics Base and thus enable the hospital to provide adequate health care services to Oben Field Communities of Oben, Iguelaba, Ikobi and Obozogbe N’Ugu and its environs,” he added.
Dr Nwachuku said Seplat had earlier ensured reconnection of the Hospital to the national grid in addition to providing power generating sets to the hospital. The Company overhauled the generating sets at the hospital as back-up to power supply and provided diesel regularly to power the generating sets.
Seplat lauded the people of Oben for their cooperation and partnership over the years and stressed that the project represents another milestone in the company’s unwavering commitment to adding positive value to the lives of inhabitants of our host communities.
Seplat’s CEO, Mr. Roger Brown, said the company’s renovation of the doctor’s quarters of the Oben Cottage hospital and earlier renovation of the entire cottage hospital itself were part of the resolve to adding value to the community.
Dr. Chioma Nwachuku,who is the Director in charge of External Affairs and Sustainability at the company alluded to Seplat Energy’s drive for continuity and sustainability, noting that with the company’s corporate philosophy of adding value to the host communities where it operates, “we are determined as a responsive and responsible organization to contribute to the development of our host communities.
“We are optimistic that the supply of gas generated power from our new Oben Field Logistics Base through a direct dedicated power line to the hospital will create immeasurable values to our community members even as we wish all excellent health always.”
Also in attendance were Seplat Joint Venture (JV) partners (NPDC), government dignitaries and His Royal Highness, Odoligie Frederick Ogiemwonyi, The Enogie of Oben; other community leaders and members. The Managing Director, Seplat West Ltd, Mr. Folorunso Afolabi and the Western Asset Base Manager, Mr. Emmanuel Otokhine were also among the Seplat team present.
Speaking on behalf of Oben Field Communities of Oben, Ikobi, Iguelaba, Obozugbe-nugu communities, Mr. Johnbull Omokaro commended the NPDC/Seplat Energy JV for actualizing the project and restoring the people’s hope.
The Chairman/Managing Director, Edo State Oil and Gas Producing Areas Development Commission (EDSOGPADEC), Pastor Kennedy Osifo, represented by the Commission’s Chief Accountant, Mrs. Obasuyi Amen, expressed deep appreciation to Seplat Energy for the project and for all the sustainable community development programmes in the host communities where the company operates.
The project for power supply to Oben Cottage Hospital from its Oben gas facility is in sync with Seplat’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) philosophy, which is premised on improving the wellbeing of inhabitants host communities of operation. Seplat has also continued to provide health improvement programmes the Eye Can See programme targeted at patients with visual impairment offering surgery for cataract related visual impairment; the Safe Motherhood (a health programme for pregnant women and nursing mothers), amongst others.
The Oben Field Communities and other Communities are beneficiaries of these programmes and other community projects.
