COVID – 19: SEPLAT, FHN, ND Western donate medical materials to Delta State 

Determined to assist Delta State stay free of Coronavirus cases and enhance the government’s readiness to manage possible incidence of COVID-19, Seplat Petroleum Development Company Plc, First Hydrocarbon Nigeria (FHN) and ND Western have donated critical medical equipment and materials to the state.

The essential medical supplies donated by the Independent Oil and Gas Companies included high power suction machines, infusion pumps, syringe drivers, personal protective equipment (PPE), and nebulizer omron. 

Other vital medical materials that were delivered by SEPLAT, FHN and ND Western to the state government comprised temperature gun, hand sanitizers and examination gloves. 

Receiving the items at new General hospital in Asaba, the Delta State capital, the Delta state Governor Ifeanyi Okowa who was represented by the State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Mordi Ononye commended the oil companies for coming together to support the state at this crucial time.

He said, “The governor of Delta State is very appreciative of this laudable gesture by these oil and gas companies. This donation is a clear proof that SEPLAT, FHN and ND Western, are credible and dependable partners of the government and people of this state and there is no doubt that the materials and equipment provided by them will boost our effort to put in place a robust response to the threat posed by the global COVID-19 pandemic.

“Though we do not have any coronavirus case in the state, as a responsible and proactive government, his excellency, senator Ifeanyi Okowa, who is a medical doctor himself, has put in place several measures to keep the infection away from the state including stay at home order, social distancing, shutdown of  schools, market and night clubs, ban of all social and religious gatherings, restriction of movement across the state borders as well as designating and equipping facilities in Asaba, Warri and Oghara to increase our capacity to control and contain the outbreak”, Ononye added.

While assuring the companies that the equipment and materials donated will be distributed and utilized judiciously, he called on other oil and gas companies operating in the state to emulate the gesture of the three companies. 

Even though the Corona virus disease is yet to be recorded in the state, the commissioner for health noted that the government have continued to take precautionary measures to prevent the disease for entering the state. He added that the state government has set up 4 well equipped with state of the art isolation and test centres across the state two in Asaba, one in Warri, and one in Ogharra this is in a bid to show seriousness and preparedness of the government in case of any eventuality. 

Speaking at the event, the General Manager, External Affairs and Communications, Dr Chioma Nwachuku who was represented by the Base Manager, Western Assets, Seplat Petroleum Development Company Plc, Emmanuel Otokhine, said the company made the donation to support the state government in raising its level of preparedness and in proactively dealing with the challenges of preventing and managing a global pandemic like COVID-19.

“The NPDC/SEPLAT JV’s decision to support the government and people of Delta State is consisting with our wider corporate social responsibility strategy of consistently creating and distributing value for our stakeholders. We hope these essential medical supplies, particularly those that are in short supply at the moment because of global upsurge in demand, will help to fill gaps that might otherwise have been left unfilled and go a long way to keep people that reside in Delta State safer.

“We recognise that only a collective effort can defeat the threat of COVID-19 pandemic and have therefore chosen to stand by the government to enhance its ability to manage the challenge thrown up by coronavirus. The action of our company and our partners becomes even more significant when you consider the fact that, as a new health challenge, no government in the country can boast of enough essential medical supplies to deal with the threat. The items we have donated will come in handy for medical personnel and ordinary, patient and ordinary people in the state”, Otokhine stated. 

Speaking in same vein, the representative of first hydrocarbon Nigeria, Blessyn Okpowo said the management of his company is deeply impressed with the commitment and proactive measures taken by the delta state government to prevent the Corona virus from entering the state, and as a company with operational base in the state, it has become necessary to support and partner with the government in order to fight the scourge of the Corona virus pandemic in the state. “As part of our corporate social responsibility as an oil firm we thought it wise that it’s mandatory that we support the state government in times like this, as my colleague said, we have seen all the proactive measures taken by the state government in fighting against this deadly virus and we are pleased to partner with the state government in this fight, our prayer is that this deadly virus does not find its way into our dear state” Okpowo said 

Similarly, the representative of ND western and the General Manager, Community Affairs and Security, Sheidu Aiguedo, said the donations will complement the efforts of the state government in the fight against the Corona virus. He said it’s obvious that the fight against this disease cannot be left in the hands of the government alone, hence the need to partner with the government. In his words “We are here to complement the efforts of the state government in ensuring that we prevent the Corona virus from entering Delta state, we are aware that the disease is global and aside causing several deaths across the world, it’s negative impact on nation’s economy, livelihood and wellbeing of the citizenry cannot be overstated, we pray in no distant time we all overcome this menace. Just as my colleagues earlier said, It is hoped that these donations today will go a long way to help fight this deadly disease and help prevent it from finding its place in delta state.”Aiguedo said 

Meanwhile, the state government has continued to sensitize its citizens on the need to strictly adhere to the measures and directives given by the governor to prevent contracting the deadly virus, including observing necessary personal hygiene like washing of hand regularly with soap and rushing water several times daily for at least 20 seconds, or using hand sanitizer, use of nose mask, social distancing and not robbing face with hands but with flexed elbow, staying at home if unwell and self-isolation if COVID-19 like symptoms manifests.