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Sunday, May 3, 2020

COVID-19: ASSESSING THE IMPACT OF CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY ON HOST COMMUNITIES IN EKET FEDERAL CONSTITUENCY


It was Albert Einstein, a German-born theoretical physicist who developed the theory of relativity, one of the two pillars of modern physics who once asserted that "only morality in our actions can give beauty and dignity".



Morality according to "Merriam Webster's"  dictionary, is the degree to which something is right and good while dignity is defined as the quality of being worthy or honor.


Relating the above conceptualization to operational policies of oil companies and its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), I am forced to ask if truly those from the catchment area are rightfully treated with morality and dignity as postulated by Albert Einstein in the ongoing fight against Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.


Sadly, more than half of the world’s population is living in lockdown. About 3.9 billion out of the over 8 billion people on earth have been asked or ordered to stay at home and have given up various rights and freedoms to help contain the pandemic which negative effect is excess hunger, hardship and death. Bringing the world economy to a standstill.


Having watched carefully and seeing  Government at all levels and well meaning individuals practically collaborating to cushion the effect of lockdown order caused by Covid-19 pandemic, it is morally  pertinent to critically analyse the impact of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) by oil Companies on host communities in Eket Federal Constituency.


As part of its CSR, the Petroleum Industry is reported to have donated N21b  to support the Federal Government in the fight against the spread of (COVID-19) pandemic in the country, inclusive of the N120m, Ventilators and coveralls donated by Oil marketers. The big question now is; how equitable would the said donated funds and Medical equipments be utilized inline with local Content policy knowing that those in the rural and catchment areas requires greater  attention in healthcare Services?



In Eket Federal Constituency which is comprised of Four LGAs (Eket, Esit Eket, ONNA & Ibeno), there exists major Oil servicing Companies operating in our shores. Notable among them are; Deltatek Offshore, Savannah/Frontier Oil, Gremoore, van Dresser, Vanord, Rossetti Pivot, Tombim Services, Sellifay Offshore, DBN, ICCL, Prime Subsea Limited (PSL), Universal Energy, Jimcol, Project Masters and Chenotech Nigeria Limited.


Considering the level of environmental degradation and hazardous effect of exploration on host communities. It is plausible that those from the catchment area should be aware of any special healthcare Services and developmental programs mapped out by Oil Servicing Companies inline with global standard practice at this terrible period of global pandemic as part of its CSR and operational policy.


Nevertheless the negligence by some of the Oil Servicing Companies, Eket Local Government under Mr. Frank Archibong, has recorded landmark ovation in the fight against COVID-19 pandemic. Mr. Archibong, has selflessly shown high moral effort towards curtailing the spread of the virus in the LGA. This, he has demonstrated through the engagement of Medical experts for sensitization and awareness campaign, donation of palliatives, Hand sanitizers, Nose Masks and PPEs to indigenes and Security Personnel. The decontamination of the Council Secretariat, Hotels, markets and parks in the LGA in partnership with the State Government are outstanding leadership roles played by the AKS ALGON Chairman to ensure the environment is more  safer for the  people  to operate safely. What if we never had Frank Archibong as Chairman of Council?



Kudos also to Boveeri Pavilion for donating bread for the people within its operational base,  Idemgh-link Group has volunteered to donate his 23 rooms hotel to be used as Isolation centre, and Yankee Media isn't left out.This, unarguably are evidence of  worthiness and honor on the part of the  aforementioned.


Another encouraging donation as part of CRS was from a former Governor of Rivers State, Dr. Peter Odili whose donation was made through his PAMO University of Medical Sciences, has donated over 3,000 Test Kits to Rivers State Government led by His Excellency Barr. Nyesom Wike.

Again, the richest man in Nigeria, Aliko Dangote is reported to have donated a 400 capacity Mobile Laboratory for COVID-19 Test In Kano State as part of his effort to help combat the novel virus, COVID-19 in the State.

ExxonMobil in France has offered about 100 operational laptop computers to local authorities around its Gravenchon petrochemical site near Normandy to help them carry on their missions while working from home. The oil giant has also made donations of full protective personal equipment to hospitals in Lillebonne and Havre.
In Spain, ExxonMobil donated low-density polyethylene to help produce protective garments for the healthcare workers of Hospital de Sierra Llana in Santander, while in Asia Pacific - China, they have been providing support to COVID-19 relief activities, including: Donation of $200,000 USD to the China Charity Federation to assist in COVID-19 relief efforts and donation of 48,000 masks and 4,300 sets of protective clothing. The support comes in addition to a recent ExxonMobil contribution of $250,000 to the Houston Food Bank and Montgomery County Food Bank to provide about one million meals to Houston-area residents, along with a $100,000 contribution to the West Texas Food Bank and $100,000 for Carlsbad (NM) Municipal Schools. Isn't this commendable and worthy? Why can't other Oil Servicing Companies emulate same?


For the war against COVID-19 Pandemic to be fought and won to zero index, Oil and Gas companies operating in our shoreline must endeavour to collaborate and initiate significant palliatives and other relief materials to help assuage hunger and curb the spread of Coronavirus through its CSR projects mostly in the areas of, Welfare, Health, Security and Safety.


While we pray to God not to forsake us, I wish to once again ask some questions for the purpose of record and clarity for our unborn children.
Do we really have functional oil Servicing Firms operating in our land? Did they actually reached to any meaningful agreement between leaders of host communities before commencing  operations? If yes, Why have they not supported or donated at least Nose Masks, hand Sanitizers, handgloves, Coveralls, Test Kits, laboratory equipment/Medical Protective suites or  lead in Online awareness campaigns to maximally reduce the effect of COVID-19 which could further upgrade their CSR appraisal?


Obviously, Government or individual cannot do it alone to attain required success. As we are preparing to resume at our various duty posts tomorrow, let's make use of Nose masks compulsory, frequently wash your hands or use hand Sanitizers, observe social distancing and keep to Medical precautionary measures.


God bless us as we rise in unity walking in faith over fear to defeat Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic.



Comrade Jerryz Edoho,
Writes from Idua Ntak-Inyang,
Esit Eket LGA

1 comment:

  1. ExxonMobil in Eket are just drilling our oil for nothing, what happens to the CSR ?

    ReplyDelete

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