By Chukwudi Ejimofor, Port Harcourt.
The operators of OML 24, Newcross Exploration and Production Limited says they are poised to maintain cordial and healthy relationship within their host communities through catching up with their cooperate social responsibility to them.
One of such is the 2018/2019 Scholarship Award to students from their host communities that took place on Wednesday 4th August, at Hogo Event Center, along Peter Odili Road, Trans Amadi Area, Port Harcourt.
The External Relation Analyst of the company Ose Ikhureigbe in a chat with Journalist at the sideline of the ceremony, said the scholarship programme is in three categories, secondary schools, undergraduate and post graduate students of 134 successful candidates that pasted through an aptitude test examination.
”Today we are handing out 2018/2019 scholarship award to our host communities. The candidates have written an examination, which were in three different categories, 80 secondary schools students, 26 undergraduate students and 8 post graduate students. They were 234 students that participated in the exams only 134 were successful”. She stated.
Ose maintained that the scholarship selection process was done by a consultant, the host communities representatives, and was witnessed by their company representatives in a transparent manner.
”The selection process was done by the consultant and the communities, witnessed by us, there were an aptitude test examination, we didn’t do it ourselves, it was very transparent which the host communities attested to”.
She further stated that the scholarship programme is an annual event for their host communities, and the scholarship programme is entails schools fees to beneficiaries till they conclude their programme from their various institution.
”And this program is a continuum with NewcrossEP, every year we award scholarship to the our host communities.
The scholarship programme entails the school fees of each beneficiary till they pass out from their various institutions.” Ose Ikhureigbe contended.
Also addressing the Press at the event High Chief P.O. Bales, the Account of Kola Supreme Council of Chiefs, acknowledged that the selection process of the scholarship programme was transparent despite t complaints which according to him are human and minor.
“The scholarship program was transparent, there are minor complaints that there were no enough publicity, but I tell you that even if it being publicized in the CNN some people will not value it as a serious issue”.
He further pointed out salient issues that some key individuals are not carried along in scheme of issues from the host communities, noted that the company has promised to address the matter soonest. According to him Newcross Exploration and Production Company Limited are in the right track of healthy relationship with their hosts communities.
“Apart from the scholarship other issues in these communities some people has been sidelined in other issues, we have told the NewcrossEP, and they has listened us and book appointment to meet us in the next two days.
The local content in the oil mining industry is what the host communities wants to take over all the oil facilities. Our problems appears to there own problems also. NewcrossEP has started well and we shall work with them in harmony”. Chief Bales stated.
Newcross Exploration and Production Company in 2014 emerged as the successful bidder of OML 24 and acquired a 45% participating interest in the block hitherto managed under the NNPC/SPDC Joint Venture arrangement
The OML is a prolific, producing oil and gas resource block that covers over an area of 162. Sq.km. It is located onshore western Nigeria Delta, about 40km South-West of Port Harcourt. This includes Awoba, Awoba North West and Ekulama Fields.
