……. Imo State First Lady and Communities Applaud SEPLAT
At the flag off of the SEPLAT Safe Motherhood Programme at Izombe, Imo State, last week Friday, Wife of the Executive Governor of Imo State, Her Excellency Dr. (Mrs.) NneomaOkorocha presenting a Safe Motherhood bagto a beneficiary, with the SEPLAT CEO, Austin Avuru and Dr. Chioma Nwachuku, GM, External Affairs and Communication.
Seplat Petroleum Development Company Plc, operator of the NNPC/SEPLAT Joint Venture launched the inaugural edition of its Eye Can See and Safe Motherhood signature Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programmes for communities situated in the operational area of its Eastern Assets at Izombe, Imo State, on Friday, February 9, 2018. The programme was initiated six years ago in Sapele, Delta State, the operational base of SEPLAT’s Western Assets.
The CSR Programmes’ launch witnessed a large turnout of members of the host communities comprising
men, women and children who came to receive medical care.
For the Eye Can See Programme, beneficiaries had their eyes tested, received prescribed glasses and
some had surgeries for cataract related visual impairments.
The Safe Motherhood Programme saw beneficiaries, pregnant women and nursing mothers, receive
lectures on danger signs of pregnancy and nutrition in pregnancy. They were also presented with Safe
Motherhood kits made up of a maternity bag, vitamin supplements, treated mosquito nets and all
medical items required for safe delivery.
In her remarks at the event, Wife of the Executive Governor of Imo State, Dr. (Mrs.) Nneoma Okorocha,
commended SEPLAT for the CSR initiatives which according to her has undoubtedly impacted the lives
of members of the host communities. She urged the Company to sustain the Programme towards
deepening its contribution to the development of Imo State in the health sub-sector.
Mr. Austin Avuru (Chief Executive Officer), Seplat Petroleum Development Company Plc, while
speaking at the event, emphasized that the host communities are critical stakeholders of the Company
regarding its business which underscores the need to execute the CSR health programmes. Mr. Avuru
assured that the Company is firmly committed to sustaining the CSR health programmes and other
programmes targeted at the socio-economic development of Imo State.
Also speaking at the event, Dr. Chioma Nwachuku (General Manager, External Affairs &
Communications), Seplat Petroleum Development Plc, reminisced on the Eye Can See and Safe
Motherhood CSR Programmes which started in 2012 in the Western Assets operational area, comprising
Edo/Delta States, of the Company. Dr. Nwachuku affirmed that both health programmes are in
alignment with the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Developing Goals (SDG) 3 which is to “Ensure
healthy lives and promote well-being for all”. She expressed appreciation to dignitaries and beneficiaries
for attending the event.
The event had in attendance Traditional Rulers, community leaders, key Government Functionaries and
Management/Staff of SEPLAT, who witnessed the debut of these worthy CSR programmes by Seplat
Petroleum Development Company Plc. The programme will continue for a week to offer opportunity to
more beneficiaries in Imo State.
The Eye Can See and Safe Motherhood Programmes are both SEPLAT’s key Corporate Social
Responsibility (CSR) health initiatives executed annually in the Company’s host communities with focus
on providing comprehensive, quality and free healthcare to members of these host communities.
Since inception six years ago, the Eye Can See Programme has recorded the following positive impact:
49,109 patients screened, 22,173 glasses dispensed to persons with visual impairments, 2,226
surgeries successfully carried out on persons, while the Safe Motherhood Programme has impacted
13,746 women, with 1,500 children receiving pneumococcal vaccination. SEPLAT uses a team of tested
medical personnel to deploy these CSR health programmes with the support of the Ministries of Health
in its host States of operation.
About Seplat Petroleum Development Company Plc:
Seplat Petroleum Development Company Plc is a leading indigenous Nigerian oil and gas exploration
and production company with a strategic focus on Nigeria, listed on the Main Market of the London
Stock Exchange (“LSE”) (LSE:SEPL) and Nigerian Stock Exchange (“NSE”) (NSE:SEPLAT).
In July 2010, Seplat acquired a 45 percent participating interest in, and was appointed operator of, a
portfolio of three onshore producing oil and gas leases in the Niger Delta (OMLs 4, 38 and 41), which
includes the producing Oben, Ovhor, Sapele, Okporhuru, Amukpe and Orogho fields. Since acquisition,
Seplat has more than tripled production from these OMLs.
In June 2013, Newton Energy Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, entered into an
agreement with Pillar Oil Limited to acquire a 40 percent participating interest in the Umuseti/Igbuku
marginal field area within OPL 283. In February 2015, Seplat completed the acquisition of a 40 percent
working interest in OML 53 and a 22.5 percent working interest in OML 55, Onshore Nigeria.
Seplat is pursuing a Nigeria focused growth strategy and is well positioned to participate in future
divestment programmes by the international oil companies, farm-in opportunities and future licensing
rounds.
