•Stakeholders laud Intels for bringing joy to oil-producing communities
By Adewale Sanyaolu
For many years, an undisguised war has been raging between multinational oil and gas companies operating in Nigeria’s Niger Delta and their host communities. Many lives have been lost, and property running into millions of naira has been destroyed in the unending strife.
To change the narrative, oil-producing companies and oil servicing firms operating in the region have been exploring a number of options to ensure that an enduring robust relationship exists between them and the oil-bearing communities.
But one firm that has always enjoyed a good relationship with the oil-producing communities across the states in the Niger Delta is Intels Nigeria Limited, the country’s foremost port operator and concessionaire of Onne, Calabar and Warri Ports. The firm, many affirm, has put in place a number of programmes that have endeared it to its host communities.
Intels is one of the concessionaires in the nation’s seaports, having won the bid for the concession following the conclusion of the port reforms initiated by the Federal Government during Chief Olusegun Obasanjo’s administration.
The exercise, which was supervised by the Bureau for Public Enterprises (BPE), divested the management of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) from the day-to-day running of the terminals as well as cargo handling.
Some of the programmes put in place by the wholly-owned Nigerian company, the reporter learnt, include the provision of scholarships, skills acquisition training and empowerment, employment of youths, award of contracts, as well as empowerment schemes. The company has a number of initiatives for women, youths and the physically challenged.
“Its tailoring scheme for the women of Onne is second to none in the country. The women in the host communities are not only taught how to become self-reliant, they’re also taught how to make several household items. These include dresses, foot mats, bow ties, overalls, aprons, table clothes, handkerchiefs, caps, personal protective equipment (PPE),” Johnson Richard, a businessman in the community, informed.
Head, Public Affairs of Intels, David Alagoa, recently noted that Intels has three key objectives as regards its corporate social responsibility (CSR). These, he said, are to empower the indigenes of the host communities in a sustainable way through the provision of employment and improved welfare; to plan and execute integrated community development programmes with full community input and participation, and to adopt ‘best practices’ that guarantee community friendly operations.
He explained: “The benefits of this approach are mutual. And Intels Nigeria Limited, being a commercial entity with diverse business interests, fully recognises the enormous positive influence that good community relations can have on its operations and profitability. In the development of her community relations development plan (CRDP), the company places great importance on acquainting herself intimately with each individual community through a process of communication and dialogue. This approach nurtures trust and confidence which in turn encourages communities to change their traditional community/company biases.
“It must be noted that the company integrated participatory approach (IPA) identifies integration, participation, communication, interaction, and dialogue as being the critically important elements of community relations development plan. This implies a move away from the ‘traditional’ model of corporate-community relations.”
The company, it was learnt, also categorises its host communities. They include the Oil and Gas Free Zone Communities, Rivers Estate Communities, Inter-oil Estate Communities, Cross River State Communities, and Delta State Communities. Some of the projects constructed by Intels in the communities are roads, drainages, street lights, ultra-modern markets, modern classroom blocks; health centres, ICT centres, town halls and community centres, skill acquisition centres, public toilets, civic centres and renovation of palaces of traditional rulers.
Besides these, it was gathered that Intel’s empowerment schemes have been putting smiles on the faces of many in the communities. Some of the schemes include the Women Empowerment Project Scheme Synergy (WEPSS); free medical programme and skills acquisition training, among others.
The reporter also learnt that no fewer than 15, 000 persons were employed directly or indirectly by the firm, 96 per cent of who are Nigerians. At least, 30, 0000 additional jobs have also been created, it was gathered. The company has 6,244 indigenes of Rivers State in its employ, while Imo State indigenes are 1, 184, Delta State has 1, 031 indigenes, Akwa Ibom, 1, 322, Abia – 778 persons, Edo State has 421, Bayelsa has 310 persons while Cross River has 345 persons. Other states where Intels doesn’t operate from have 3, 325 persons employed by the company.
Not a few stakeholders in the maritime sector of the economy as well as the oil and gas industry have hailed the company on the strides it has made since it started operations in the nation’s seaports.
During a recent visit by some stakeholders to the operational base of the firm, many applauded the company for bringing smiles to the faces of millions of people in the oil-producing communities of Niger Delta.
A former Managing Director of the Oil and Gas Free Zone Authority (OGFZA), Hon. Victor Alabo, expressed delight that Intels has upgraded facilities to world-class standards and transformed the Onne Free Zone into an investors’ paradise, attracting, foreign direct investments (FDI) of over $60 billion to the free zone.
A businessman who regularly uses the Onne port said no matter how huge his cargo might be, it arrives safely at the port because the draught has been developed by Intels.
Another shipper praised Intels for having confidence in the nation’s economy, noting that the company’s last phase of port was about $3.5 billion.
The management of the OGFZA said it constantly moves round to ensure that firms operating in the zone comply with the provisions of the Local Content Act.
“The free zone is adjudged as the most developed and successful free zone the world over that is dedicated to oil and gas industry. There is a culture of regular stakeholders meetings with investors to address their challenges, providing a feedback mechanism to deliberate jointly on whatever the challenges are and how to resolve these.
“Government has provided lots of incentives. While some are physical incentives, others are tax incentives. These have attracted investors into the free zone. In this zone, we have close to 200 investors, several falling into the maritime sector, the light manufacture sector and the downstream sector of the oil and gas. It is a success story and we hope to replicate this success story in other parts of the country,” OGFZA noted.