Commissioner for Niger Delta Affairs, Prince Dr. Henry Okafor, has lauded SEPLAT Petroleum Development Company and Nigeria National Petroleum Company for organizing a free medical treatment for Imo people especially those who are from the core oil producing communities of the state.
He gave the commendation while unveiling Eye Can See Medical outreach organized by SEPLAT in partnership with NNPC held at Full Moon Hotel Owerri on Thursday.
Okafor who said the free medication was germane as such would help strengthen the health of beneficiaries, urged the oil companies to continue to meet the welfare of their host communities through the social corporate responsibilities to curb poverty and reduce restiveness so that oil production will boost in the state for onward increment of the 13% oil derivation funds to Imo State by the Federal Government.
The Commissioner reminded the oil companies operating in Imo State to ensure that they go beyond medical outreach to doing roads, installing electricity, pipe born water, hospital and advancing human capital development to reduce oil bunkering and restiveness.
He stated that the Imo State government is very happy of the healthcare program by SEPLAT and NNPC, saying the Governor is always keen to see that the people are not shortchanged nor taken for granted by oil companies operating in the state.
According to Okafor, “the oil companies operating in Ohaji/Egbema, Oguta and Oru East should follow suit. And if they refuse to follow suit to maintain their social corporate responsibilities to their host communities, Imo State Government who has the priority to meet and defend the welfare of the people will push them towards meeting those responsibilities. Of course, what SEPLAT is doing today in the area of Medicare is part of its social corporate responsibilities to the people”.
He noted that “GMoU has changed. What we have now is the new arrangement where certain percentage is given to oil producing communities to develop their areas. Governor Hope Uzodimma is really doing greatly to see that the right of the people are not tampered by oil companies operating in Imo State”.
