By Elizabeth ADENUGA
The Nigerian Gas Company (NGC) says it will continue to maintain a robust and sustainable relationship with its over 350 host communities to enhance business growth.
Mr Babatunde Bakare, the Managing Director of NGC, gave the assurance on Tuesday in Oniparaga, Ondo State.
Bakare spoke at the official inauguration and handing over of a Basic Health Centre to the Oniparaga Community in Odigbo Local Government Area.
TBI Africa said that the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the building, comprising male and female wards, is fully equipped with beds, laboratory, office and other health facilities.
Bakare, represented by Mrs Mariam Emmanuel-Ate, the General Manager, Support Services, said that the well-being of the community was paramount to the Corporate Social Responsibility thrust of the company.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that NGC is a subsidiary of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) with a network of gas pipelines extending over 2,500 Kilometres in the country.
According to Bakare, the company has a Metering Stations located in 11 states in the country, noting that by implication, its pipelines transverse over 350 host communities.
“We present to you this fully equipped Basic Health Centre as a token of our appreciation and contribution to the development of Oniparaga Community.
“As a company, we shall continue to solicit for your co-operation and assistance in the maintenance of peace and support for our business growth aspiration in the interest of the community and Nigeria in general.
“NGC will always encourage and appreciate communities that promote peace, dialogue and understanding in the resolution of issues.
“This is the hallmark of our community relations engagement process,” he said.
Bakare urged people in the community to make judicious use of the health facilities.
Responding, the Chairman, Odigbo Local Government, Mr Tunde Ikumawoyi, thanked the NGC and the people of Oniparaga for ensuring that the project materialised.
Ikumawoyi assured people in the community that the project would be put into proper used by the primary healthcare department of the council.
Also, Dr Akanbiemu Francis, the Executive Secretary, Ondo State Primary Healthcare Board, described the facilities as the best in the council area.
While appealing to NGC and the NNPC managements for a continuous support, Francis promised to deployed qualified staff to operate the facilities.
In his remarks, the Traditional Ruler of Oniparaga, Adetokunbo Aderopo, described the project as a milestone, saying that the facility would go a long way to improving health of the people.
“I appeal that the facilities should be put to use in earnest,” he said.
