Ibeno (Akwa Ibom) – The Mobil Producing Nigeria (MPN), operator of Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) Joint Venture, on Friday donated relief materials worth N4.5 million to fire victims in Iwuoachang, Ibeno LGA, Akwa Ibom.
Presenting the items, Mrs Regina Udobong, Manager, Public and Government Affairs, Qua Iboe Terminal, Ibeno, said that the gesture was to support ongoing resettlement and rehabilitation of the affected fire victims.
“As a further demonstration of our care and concern, the NNPC/MPN Joint Venture is today donating some relief support items worth over N4.5 million to support ongoing resettlement and rehabilitation efforts of the affected person,’’ she said.
She listed the items presented to include: 200 pieces of wrapper, 100 eight-spring mattresses, 20 cartons of toilet soap, 20 bags of detergent, 20 bags of salt, seven bags of garri,
Other items are, six bags of beans, 20 cartons of soft drink, 20 cartons of peak milk, 20 cartons of Milo, 20 bags of rice, 20 cartons of knor cube, 100 cartons of bottle water, 10 gallons of groundnut oil.
Udobong, however, lamented that the unfortunate incident had impacted adversely on the lives of the people of Uton in Iwuochang community, saying that Mobil used the occasion to commiserate with the people.
She commended the leadership of Iwuoachang and all those who rally round to ensure that the disaster was quickly contained, thereby averting a greater havoc.
Udobong said that ExxonMobil was committed to Safety, Health and Environment (SHE), needs of its host communities.
She added that the company had contributed to the development of its communities in the area of Education, Human Capacity Building, Empowerment, Employment, Health, Electricity, Sports and Water.
In his remarks, Mr Iniobong Essien, the State’s Commissioner for Environment, said the state government was committed to giving relief materials to the affected fire victims in the state.
He commended ExxonMobil for their gesture, saying that the relief materials would alleviate the suffering of the people.
Essien, represented by a Director in the Ministry, Mr Joseph Okon, urged the Village Head of the community to share the materials to the real affected victims to ensure peace in the area.
Earlier, the Paramount Ruler of Ibeno, His Royal Majesty, Owong Effiong Archianga, expressed appreciation to the company for their kind gesture, saying that the gesture had brought hope to the people.
Archianga, represented by Chief Ita Ndem, commended Mobil for their tireless effort in transforming the host communities.
He called on Ibeno communities to always use dialogue with the company in solving crisis affecting the communities instead of blocking the staff from entering the company.
Also speaking, Chief Dan Afia, Village Head of Iwuoachang expressed surprise at the gesture while appealing to the company to donate fishing materials to the community.
Responding of behalf of the beneficiaries; Mrs Esther Job, a blind woman, expressed appreciation to Mobil, saying that materials would bring succour to the people of the community.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the unfortunate fire incident occurred on Feb. 12 in Iwuoachang community in Ibeno local government area of the state. (NAN)
