The management of Okomu Oil Palm Plc. says it constructed seven different projects within its areas of operations in Edo State to speed up development in the benefitting communities.
Managing Director of the company, Dr Graham Hefer, said this at the inauguration of the projects in five different communities spread across three local government areas of the state on Friday, August 28, 2020.
Header, represented by the company’s Communication Officer, Mr Fidelis Olise, said that the projects include a semi-industrial borehole at Irhue Community and an ultra modern town hall at Umokpe Community in Uhunmwonde Local Government Area.
Others are a semi-industrial borehole and a block of market stalls at Agbanikaka Community, in Ovia North-East Local Government Area; an ultra modern town hall and a domestic borehole at Marioghioba (AT&P) community; as well as a modern community town hall at Udo community, Ovia South-West Local Government Area.
Hefer said the projects are part of the company’s annual social corporate responsibility to its host communities.
He said that the five benefitting communities were among the over 20 neigbouring ones in its areas of operations.
The managing director said he was optimistic that the projects would drive the communities’ quest for speedy development.
Hefer said that Okomu Oil kept its promise to the communities in spite of the current economic challenges that had affected the revenue of most businesses across the world.
“Okomu did not take that as an excuse but rather kept to its promise of providing social amenities for its neighbouring communities,” he said.
The managing director appealed to the benefitting communities to take good care of the projects, to encourage the company to do more.
He encouraged leaders and people of its host communities to continue to create an enabling environment for the company’s operations to thrive.
In his response, the Iyase of Udo, His Royal Highness Patrick Igbinidu, appreciated the board, management and staff of the company for the gesture.
He said it would greatly improve the relationship between the communities and the company.
On his part, the acting Odionwere of Irhue community, Pa Ogiemwonyi Aiwekhoe, who spoke through his son, Lucky Ogiemwonyi, appreciated the company for its contribution in attracting development to the community.
He said that the presence of Okomu Oil in their communities had uplifted the standard of living of residents in the area.
The company had, in December 2019, also inaugurated nine projects in different neighbouring communities.
By Kevin Okunzuwa
