Getting involved in the community is a great way for any organisation to build relationships and boost visibility and brand awareness. Whether it is by sponsoring or taking part in community programmes, or by enabling employee volunteerism, companies that encourage involvement in the community stand out among their peers and see multiple benefits as a result, such as a happier workforce, peaceful operations or a more loyal customer base.
In Nigeria, indigenous companies have impressively taken the charge in championing community development projects. A good example is the Energia/Oando Joint Venture (JV) social impact initiatives in its host community of Kwale, Delta state.
Since it began its operations in Kwale in 2010, Oando and its JV partner adopted a sustainable model of establishing memoranda of understanding with all its host communities in Delta State, through which three per cent of its gross revenue is set aside for the development of host communities and managed by two trust boards comprising experienced professionals from the community, the government and the JV.
One of such initiatives is the recently concluded its three-day community medical outreach in Kwale, themed ‘Health is Wealth’. The initiative is the JV partners’ first ever medical outreach in Kwale, Ndokwa West Council Area of Delta State where it operates the Ebendo/Obodeti marginal field, OML 56. The event commenced at the Ebendo Health Centre and proceeded to Obodougwa, Isumpe, Umusadege, Umusam and Ugbani communities in Kwale.
To reiterate the importance of Corporate Social Responsibilities (CSR) to its company, Babafemi Onasanya, general manager, Sub Surface, representing the chief operating officer, Ainojie Irune, of Oando Petroleum Development Company, said, “As a JV we believe that it is important to impact these communities positively. We want to show, through leading by example that you can be proudly indigenous, profitable and at the same time make the world a better place. We must deliberately always give back to our own.”
The Chief Medical Director (CMD), Central Hospital, Kwale, Gabriel Abanum, representing the Delta state Commissioner for Health, Emordi Ononye in his remarks said, “It is commendable that Energia/Oando JV is partnering with its host communities in pursuit of the WHOSDG3, which includes grassroots healthcare provision for all. The development tallies with the state government’s investment in the health sector like free maternal care, free care for all under-five year olds.
“The initiative is also in tandem with government’s free HIV screening and treatment and the health contributory commission, where all civil servants registered to assess care free of charge. The state has even gone further to accommodate those from the informal sector to give residents a full complement of health all year round.” He further described the relationship between the company and Emu-Ebendo as a model to be emulated.”
The medical outreach is aimed at achieving the World Health Organisation Sustainable Development Goals 3 (WHOSDG3), in providing access to basic healthcare to its communities. Initiatives based in communities can have widespread effects. Not only can they transform the communities in which they are located, but they can act as seedbeds for similar programs elsewhere.
It is noteworthy that Oando and its JV partner is among few Nigerian indigenous companies, actively collaborating with the public sector in achieving the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through CSR projects.
