MBO
In fulfilment of its promise to solve the accommodation challenges faced by teachers at St. Monica’s Primary School, Ibuot Utan, Effiat in Mbo Local Government, Oriental Energy Resources Ltd, has refurbished an ultra modern residential quarters for teachers.
The teachers’ quarters consist of seven one-bedroom apartment with solar-powered lighting, water supply system, as well as other modern internal and external fittings.
Addressing the gathering, the managing director of the company, Mr Mustapha Indimi, represented by the head, Community Relations, Dr Uwem Ite, said the Oriental took interest in the project when it earlier commissioned a refurbished classroom in 2022, announced it readiness to embark on the rehabilitation of the adjourning teachers’ quarters in due course.
“As many of you will recall, we gathered at this same venue on Thursday, August 18, 2022 for a commissioning and handing over ceremony, after refurbishment of the building and classrooms, supply of furniture and provision of modern toilet facilities for this school”, he said.
The facility which sought to enhance the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) of the company to its host community, was the second project delivered by the OERL after it had reconstructed classrooms with modern toilet facility and furniture at the school in 2022.
He told stakeholders, including community leaders, local and state government officials, youths, staff and pupils of the school that the delivery of the project was in fulfilment of an earlier promise made by the company to encourage the retention of teachers posted to the school and also increase the level of enrollment by children from Effiat communities.
The company’s managing director noted that the seven one bedroom quarters, was another practical demonstration of OERL unwavering commitment to support education and human capital development in Effiat community and Akwa Ibom State in general.
Indimi stressed that the two projects served as evidence of the company’s modest contribution aimed at achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 4, with focus on quality education for the promotion of life long learning.
He pointed out that in line with Oriental commitment to enterprise development and support a contractor from the community; De Abris Services Nigeria Ltd, was awarded the job which had been delivered according to specification.
Indimi stated that apart from the classroom and staff quarters projects in Effiat community and in compliance with the Petroleum Industry Act, 2021, Oriental had inaugurated the Effiat and Mbo Host Communities Development Trust in May 2024 and the Trust would attract funding from Oriental for development purposes in Effiat, Ebughu, Enwang, Uda and Udesi communities, adding that funds allocation for projects would be based on the Community Needs Assessment and Development Plan prepared by the company in partnership with the communities.
Oriental maintained that it expected members of the BoT, management and advisory committee to adhere strictly to the Operational Manual and Code of Conduct of the Trust to ensure efficient and effective delivery of approved projects.
Indimi assured stakeholders that Oriental would ensure timely approval of requests by the Trust for the release of funds when the terms of agreement and conditions were met by relevant organs in the Trust.
He urged the Effiat Mbo Host Community Development Trust to allocate funds from the Trust for the furnishing of the teachers’ quarters, adding that it was necessary to ensure immediate occupation and effective use of the apartment.
Indimi also tasked the Trust to put in place adequate security measures for the quarters as the present security framework provided by the company would expire by March 2025.
The commissioner for education, Mrs Idongesit Etiebet, said the facility was a testament of the shared commitment by Oriental Energy and Government towards the improvement of the welfare and work condition of teachers in the state.
Represented by the director, Preprimary, Primary and Special Education, Mrs Esther Ekotumoh, stated that education was the foundation for building a prosperous society and the role of teachers in the process could not be over emphasised, adding that the provision of a conducive residential quarters for the teachers, was an investment in their comfort and a strategic move to enhance their productivity.
Etiebet commended the company for the gesture, describing the act as an unfeigned dedication to holistic development of the people and community.
The chairman, State Universal Basic Education Board, Dr. Anietie Etuk, represented by board member, Directorate of School Services, Sir John Udoh, said the effort of the company aligned seamlessly with Akwa Ibom Government approach to advancing education in the state in the provision of conducive learning environment for the children.
Udo explained that the refurbished of the quarters by Oriental, was a clear demonstration of the sensitivity and responsiveness to the educational needs of its host communities, particularly the Effiat community in Mbo Local Government Area.
The chairman, Mbo Local Government, Mr Sunday Etim, said the commissioning of the teachers quarters signified their collective commitment to prioritizing the welfare of educators. He stated that with a comfortable and secured residential quarters, they would not only offer a roof over their heads but also a conducive working environment that would enable them to be focused on their job.
The representative of Effiat Clan Council, Chief Inyang Etim, said they were indeed happy to have the facility renovated for teachers to occupy. Etim described the gesture as an essential aspect of the commitment of the company towards the achievement of academic excellence, access to quality living and an approach to making teachers live up to their responsibility.
The village head, Ubuot Utan, Chief Mattias Nta, said the renovation of the facility by Oriental Energy was the manifestation of its commitment to promote the educational welfare of the community.
Nta stated that the absence of teachers’ quarters in the area, affected the productivity of teachers as they had to travel far to carry out their duties. The village head assured the company of the resolve of the community to protect the facility.
The permanent secretary, Ministry of Environment and Mineral Resources, Mrs Ikwo Abia, Esq, applauded Oriental for the milestone achievement, described as a rich history to demonstrate a niche on various educational programmes and other safety investment over the years in Akwa Ibom.
Abia acknowledged the project as that which aligned with Governor Umo Eno’s penchant for improving the education standard as a critical pillar of the ARISE Agenda.
The youth president, Effiat community, Mr Etim Bassey, thanked the company for its dedication towards addressing the educational challenges of the area. He stated that as youths, they were satisfied with the plans Oriental Energy has with a view to improving the socio-economic needs of Effiat clan.
Etim commended the company for the gesture, stressing that if other companies operating in Mbo had done a percentage of what Oriental Energy has done in its host communities, there would be no issues and pledged the resolve of the people to protect the facility.
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