House of Reps applauds Oriental Energy’s CSR implementation beyond Host Communities
By Ndifreke Enefiok
Oriental Energy Resources Limited (OERL), an oil-producing company operating in Akwa Ibom State, has been applauded by the House of Representatives for strategically implementing Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) beyond the borders of its host community.
Oriental Energy received the commendation on Thursday, June 6, 2024, from the House of Representatives Committee on Implementation of CSR during the commissioning and handing over of the climate monitoring and observation station to the University of Uyo.
The project, completed in December 2023 at the UniUyo Permanent Campus as part of OERL’s 2022 first quarter intention to provide equipment required to form the nucleus of a Climate Monitoring and Observation Station for the University of Uyo, is expected to provide practical experience for students and researchers in climatology and climate change studies, encourage research in climate-related studies, and lay the foundation for capacity-building programs on climate and meteorology.
The delegation led by Hon. (Prof.) Obiageli Lilian Orogbu, Chairman of the Committee, and two others, Hon. Sunday Umeha and Hon. Iyewosa Esosa, expressed delight at OERL’s focus on implementing CSR projects that reflect the key yearnings of the communities they operate in and even beyond.
The Committee Chairman, Hon. Orogbu, during the commissioning of the climate monitoring station, while reiterating that climate change is a global issue that requires speedy attention from government and stakeholders, noted that the committee is happy with the level of work done by OERL, stating that the level of work done by the company shows they understand the environmental challenges facing the people and have offered to provide cutting-edge solutions.
Hon. Orogbu said, “Climate change is one of the most pressing issues in our society. Accurate data is essential for understanding climate patterns, predicting future changes, and developing effective mitigation and adaptation strategies. This station, in the Committee’s opinion, will provide valuable data for researchers, policymakers, and the public.
“As someone from academia, and with the University of Uyo being one of the leading institutions in environmental research, this station will provide students and faculty with access to state-of-the-art equipment and data, enhancing their research capabilities and promoting innovation in climate science.”
Speaking on the importance of the project, OERL’s Managing Director, Mr. Mustapha Indimi, represented by Head, External Relations, Mr. Kazeem Koleoso, explained that the project was implemented as the company’s contribution to the realization of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 13, which calls for attention to climate and the environment.
According to Koleoso, “This is very important because every person, in every country, on every continent of the world will be impacted by the adverse effects of climate change. These include flooding, rising sea levels, air pollution, more intense heat waves, waterborne diseases, as well as increased hunger and poor nutrition where people cannot grow or find sufficient food.
“Beyond donating the Climate Monitoring and Observation Station to the University of Uyo, Oriental Energy has been taking significant steps to reduce its environmental footprint, especially through our decarbonization journey. We have continued to make progress towards the reduction of emissions from our operations. Our approach to flare reduction is in line with industry standards.
“We are taking actions to improve our monitoring of carbon emissions, especially when it comes to methane. We are currently reviewing plans to eliminate flaring at our EBok field, while development plans for the Okwok field include a zero-flare concept from the start.
Speaking further, he noted that, “since we began operations in Akwa Ibom State, Oriental Energy took a deliberate and long-term approach to supporting the communities that host us. In other words, we believe in creating positive sustainable footprints through projects and programs that improve the quality of life of people in various communities, including this community of staff and students at the University of Uyo.
“The core areas of our social investment interventions in Akwa Ibom State are Community Health, Education and Human Capital Development, Enterprise Development and Support, as well as Capacity Building for Sustainable Development. We have several examples of completed projects and programs which attest to our philosophy on social investments in the last few years.
“Furthermore, in compliance with the provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act of 2021, we have inaugurated the Effiat and Mbo Host Communities Development Trust. This is a community-led initiative established by Oriental Energy to empower and develop Effiat, Ebughu, Enwang, Uda, and Udesi communities in Mbo LGA, Akwa Ibom State. It aims to enhance infrastructure, education, healthcare, and socio-economic development through strategic investments and other sustainable development programs in these communities,” Koleoso added.
In his address, Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof. Nyaudoh Ndaeyo, commended OERL for keeping to its promise as a long-standing partner in development with the institution and commissioning the project.
Prof. Ndaeyo stated, “This great philanthropic organization had before now supported this University by upgrading facilities at the Department of Petroleum Engineering and we are grateful for that.
“It is hoped that the completion of the first phase of the climate monitoring and observation station will not mark the end of benevolence from Oriental Energy Resources to the University of Uyo. Therefore, like Oliver Twist, I, on behalf of the University of Uyo Community, appeal to our donor to please direct the commencement of the second phase of the project, which is the building and monitoring aspect.
“The second phase of the project, when completed, will provide a shade or accommodation for students while undertaking practical studies at the station, especially during the rainy season.”
Also speaking on the invaluable contribution of the station to environmental research, Commissioner for Environment and Mineral Resources, Mr. Uno Etim Uno, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Iquo Abia, thanked Oriental Energy for choosing to implement a project that will not only provide data for researchers and students but also assist the institution in exploring climate-related work.
The high point of the commissioning was the official handing over of the Climate Monitoring and Observation station to the institution.
Additionally, during an interactive session between the Committee, Oriental Energy, and Mbo local government area stakeholders to further assess OERL’s compliance with CSR implementation in Mbo communities at Ebong Uko Hall, Monty Suites Hotel, Hon. Orogbu noted that the number of infrastructures donated by the company as attested by the host communities is commendable.
She said, “Having heard all the submissions from the representatives of all the communities in Mbo local government area, I can say that we are highly impressed. We are happy to hear the level of engagements, the level of responsibility that Oriental Energy Resources Limited has shown to the Mbo communities. We are happy that they have been able to provide at least to a reasonable extent the infrastructure in these communities.
“We are representing the people. The 10th Assembly is a people-oriented Assembly. Our focus is majorly the welfare of the people. That is why we advocate that the host communities provide necessary information that will aid the committee to do the needful.
“By the wisdom of the 10th Assembly, this Committee was created to drive both private and public companies to ensure that they give back to society by ensuring that the roads are built and maintained, provide electricity to the communities, water, and other necessary things for the growth and wellbeing of the host communities. I want to once again thank Oriental Energy Resources Limited for all they have done so far. We will present this report to the 10th Assembly accordingly.”
Representatives from the different communities who listed the many projects, such as the construction of classroom blocks, scholarships to indigenes, medical outreach, and other initiatives by the company, scored them high.
They, however, appealed to the company to decentralize their CSR projects to other communities like Udesi, which, according to them, is facing environmental neglect and lacks basic amenities.
They also appealed to the House of Reps members to provide more avenues such as the interactive session for them to rate other oil companies operating in their communities.