…records 110,634 beneficiaries since 2012
Seplat Energy Plc has mulled the establishment of an eyecare centre in Edo State in furtherance of its EyeCanSee programme.
The organisation disclosed this at the 13th edition of its three-day free eyecare programme at the palace of the Oba of Benin.
The company said that it has already established an eyecare centre in Sapele, Delta State.
Speaking at the programme, Chioma Afe, director, external affairs and social performance, Seplat Energy, said that the programme was geared towards delivering of free eye care services, including consultations, reading glasses, and cataract surgeries.
Afe said that the programme also entailed health education on conditions such as glaucoma, hypertension, and diabetes to thousands of beneficiaries in the JV’s host communities.
The Seplat Energy director, represented by Esther Icha, senior manager, corporate social investment and social performance, noted that the initiative has been sustained by the continued cooperation of the Joint Venture partners.
She said that the 2025 edition of the NEPL/Seplat Energy Joint Venture flagship healthcare initiative, “EyeCanSee” was part of the company’s corporate social responsibility to the host communities.
The programme, which had been taking place in Edo and Delta states, has now been extended to Imo State.
According to her, every part of the programme is free of charge, and for those who come with other health challenges aside from eye problems, including hypertension or diabetes, there are doctors to attend to them.
Afe stated that since inception 110,634 persons have benefited from the programme, aimd free reading glasses distributed to 55,382 persons while free cataract surgeries were also successfully performed on 4,752 persons.
In his remarks, Cyril Oshiomhole, Edo State Commissioner for Health, commended the Seplat JV for the free eyecare project as well as the proposed eyecare centre to be established in the state.
Oshiomhole represented by Edward Aisowieren, Director of Medical Services, noted that the state government acknowledged the concrete impact of the initiative.
The commissioner observed that in keeping with its name, the “Eye Can See” initiative is, indeed, positively transforming lives.
He added that more than half of the ailments that lead to permanent loss of sight are treatable and thanked Seplat Energy and its partners for coming to the rescue.
“I want to thank the organisers of this programme. I can see for myself that all those who were operated on under this initiative can see with their eyes, which is a plus for the organisers.
“I understand that over the years, this has been going on while hundreds of our people have received free eye care from Seplat Energy,” he added.
On his part, Oba Ewuare II, the Oba of Benin, represented by Ralphael Oronsaye, the Obkhavbaye of Benin Kingdom, commended the Seplat Energy JV and urged the people to always appreciatively take advantage of good initiatives by worthy corporate citizens.
Also speaking, Owunari Tomikeimieye, who represented the management of NNPC Exploration & Production Limited (NEPL), commended the people for turning out en masse to be part of the initiative.
Tomikeimieye urged parents to encourage their children and wards to help preserve oil and gas assets in their domain against vandalism.
He pointed out that it is from such resources that the Seplat JV would be able to continue delivering such life-changing initiatives to the host communities.
Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, Dennis Laure, thanked the Seplat JV for helping them overcome eye-health challenges, which have been negatively impacting their lifestyles and means of livelihoods for many years.
