An oil firm, Universal Energy Resource Ltd, has donated a water project and six classroom blocks to Eyo Abasi and Idua Esit Edek communities respectively in Oron Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom.
The Project Manager of Universal Energy, Mr Steve Okoko, during the handover of the projects to the communities said that the donation was part of the company’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) to the people.
Okoko, who was represented by the Deputy Project Manager, Mr Imo Udo, charged the people to see the projects as their own and protect them against vandalism.
“Today we officially hand them over to the communities to put them to proper use, to own and protect them and make sure they give the desired benefits expected.
“We are not going to discuss the cost of the projects here but the motivation is part of our giving back to the society, part of corporate social responsibility.
“The first project was the water project at Community Secondary School at Eyo Abasi and this one here at Idua Esit Edek community, is six classroom blocks that we have just inaugurated,” Okoko said.
He said that the action of the company was a demonstration of the firm’s commitment to assisting the people and reducing youth restiveness as well as improving the quality of thier lives.
The project manager said as a company, they would strive to do their best and make the people happy within their areas of operation.
Speaking during the handover of the projects, the Chairman of Oron Local Government Area, Mr Anthony Etim, commended the oil company for its magnanimity to the communities.
Etim said the projects would go a long way in adding value to the lives of the people
“I feel very elated and happy; this is the very first time we have had such projects in this part of Oron Local Government Council.
“I appreciate the company, the Universal Energy, for having given us these projects. If you look at this primary school it is of high standard,” Etim said.
The Council Boss said that the local government would complement the effort of the oil company by providing desks and tables for the pupils.
He gave the assurance that the projects would be put to judicious use and for the benefit of the people.
He said, “I am going to do my best to hand over the school to the government for proper care. Government must do as much as possible to assist the school grow from this stage.”
The Principal of Community Secondary School, Eyo Abasi, Mr Oduoyi Esin, thanked the oil firm for the gesture.
Esin said that the secondary school had no laboratory and appealed to the company to come to its aid in that direction.
He said the borehole would go a long way in improving the sanitation of the school environment and the students’ personal hygiene.
The Clan Head of Idua Esit Edek, Chief Offong Edet Ekeng, was full of praise for the company for providing the communities with the water project and classrooms blocks.
The monarch reminded the oil company that the Memorandum of Understanding entered into with the community had expired, stressing the need to renew it without further delay to ensure continuous peace.
“This part of Nigeria has never seen this kind of project before; so we appreciate the effort of the oil company. You can see the only access road to this community is deplorable and requires construction.
“We appeal to the company to help us in the construction of this road,” he said. (NAN)
