As a part of its commitment to support and stimulate local commercial activities within its host communities, French multinational, Total Exploration and Production Company Nigeria Limited, TEPNG, has commissioned two shopping malls for her host communities in Egi, Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers State.
Apart from the multipurpose shopping malls in Akabuka market and Erema town, other projects built and commissioned by the oil firm for her host communities include, Umu-Agba community hall and a renovated Erema Health Centre, all in Egi land.
Speaking at the commissioning and handover of the projects, Total’s Deputy Managing Director, Port Harcourt District, Mr. François Le-Cocq, said the projects mark another significant milestone in its relationship with Akabuka and Erema communities and Egi people in general.
Lecocq said the projects were in line with her commitment to support and stimulate local commercial activities within the Egi communities.
“The completion and hand over of these projects are in line with our commitment to support, re-engineer and stimulate local commercial activities within the Egi communities, as a prelude to an enduring sustainable socio-economic development of our people.
“There is no doubt in our mind that, having thought through the project and understood the basis for its nomination, you will not only take ownership of them but will also guard them jealously for the benefit of the community.
Lecocq, represented by Total’s Manager, Community Relations, Engr Okechukwu Obara, charged the leadership of the benefiting communities to ensure the effective utilization and good maintenance of the facilities.
“Expectedly, we hope that you will leverage on these facilities and take advantage of the opportunities which this project will create. This will be the greatest benefit that your community and indeed the society can derive from the projects
“Receive the assurances of TEPNG management to continue to partner with you the Egi communities in providing sustainable infrastructural support that will enhance good quality socioeconomic and environmental conditions fit to support economic growth and development.
“Finally, let me use this medium to thank our partners, the NNPC for their continuous support and the contractors for their diligence in completing the projects not minding the current security challenges which communities have witnessed in the recent past.”
Speaking on behalf of the benefiting communities, the Community Development Committee Chairman of Erema, Mr. Ben Alex Chilekwe, who commended Total for the projects, said the company has done for Egi what no government has done.
Chilekwe said the shopping mall, the Erema health centre and the UmuAgba community hall will not only beautify the community but would increase its sustainable development facilities
“I make bold to say that Total Exploration and Production Company Nigeria Limited, has over the years done for Erema community more than all that government has done for us. Believe it or not we in Egi, and Erema, in particular, is proud to have Total as a company operating in Egi.
“As Erema indigenes, we walk with our shoulder high in the comity of communities because of the level of development provided for us by Total.
“We enjoy facilities the people in the so-called cities only see epileptically. We frankly have reason to be happy and therefore say a big thank you to Total Exploration and Production Nigeria Limited.”
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