By Francis Sadhere, Warri
The Nigerian Gas Marketing Company (NGMC), a subsidiary of Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), On Tuesday, inaugurated a skilled acquisition programme for 40 women folk from it’s host communities in Delta operation.
The Managing Direction, NGMC, Barrister Justin Ezeala, said the official kick-off of the Women Skills Acquisition Programme, which is the training of women in various vocation, was part of that it’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives to their host Communities, with a charge on participants not to sell their starter packs at the end of the exercise.
The MD, speaking at the inauguration ceremony held at Ishaka Hotel, Effurun, Uvwie Local Government Area of Delta State, stated that NGMC will always encourage and appreciate communities that promote peace, dialogue and understanding in the resolution of any issue, adding that “this, indeed, is the hallmark of our community relations engagement process.”
Represented by Mr. Sani Kabo, Manager, Services, Ezeala noted that NGMC, as a responsible and responsive Company, will remain committed to developing a robust and sustainable relationship with it’s host communities.
He added that the wellbeing of it’s host communities is paramount and forms part of it’s Corporate Social Responsibility thrust, just as he appealed to all the beneficiaries representing the various communities to maximize the opportunity of the programme.
“On our part 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 aspirations, in the interest of the people in your communities and Nigerians.
“As a Gas Marketing Company with a vision to support the economic growth of Nigeria, our network of gas pipelines extends to over 540 km with Metering Stations located in 6 states of the Federation. What this indicates, is that our pipelines and facilities transverse over 120 host communities across the vast areas of the Country.”
“The beneficiaries who were carefully nominated by executives of their host communities shall undergo intensive three-weeks training in Catering, Tailoring/Fashion Design, Hairdressing, Make-up/Pedicure/Manicure/Gele Tying and Computer/Desk Top Publishing.”
“At the end of the exercise, the trainees shall be handed over starter packs and take-off grants to enable them become self-employed and future employers of labour.”
“We believe that when a woman is empowered, the home will be stable. We therefore enjoin all participants to make good use of the opportunity and acquire the skill which they have enrolled for,” the MD said.
The Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division, NNPC, who was represented by the Manger Community Impact Investment, CSR Department, NNPC, Mrs Doris Ohia, advised the beneficiaries to make good use of the starter packs that would be given to them after the conclusion of the programme.
He lamented the situation whereby beneficiaries of such programmes in the past sell their starter packs, just as he appealed to this set of beneficiaries not to toe that line.
The Consultant to the programme, Chief Executive Officer of Dubi Trust Ventures, Bernard Emekpe, commended the management of NNPC and NGMC for the programme.
He said training will afford the beneficiaries the opportunity to become employers of labour after the rigorous training they will be subjected to in the next three weeks.
Two beneficiaries of the programme, Mrs Gloria Onuane from Ekpan community in Delta and Mrs Augustina Emokhare, from Edo community, who spoke on behalf of the other beneficiaries, promised to make judicious use of the opportunity.
Chief Edeki Sunday, Chairman, Community Relation Committee, Ekpan, Mr. Freeborn Pezu, Vice President, Ujevwu community and Mr Kingsley Tonukarin, in their different addresses, thanked NNPC and NGMC for giving their women the opportunities to be trained in various skills.
