The NNPC/Chevron Joint Venture has been applauded by stakeholders for their commitment to health development in Nigeria through its Roll Back Malaria program deployed in various parts of the country especially in communities around its operations in the Niger Delta region. The company recently organized similar program in Ogbe-Ijoh, Warri South West and Koko, Warri North Local Government Area councils of Delta State on November 7 and 8, 2013 in partnership with Africare.
The program, which involved enlightenment on malaria prevention, malaria testing/treatment, distribution of Insecticide treated nets and sensitization on the use of the nets as well as Indoor residual spray in different houses in the communities, was aimedto provide support for malaria prevention including health promotion activities that would significantly reduce the prevalence of the disease and benefit the population.
The Chairman of Warri South West Local Government Area who was represented by Hon. Kingsley Esimaje, the supervisory councilor for Education, thanked the NNPC/Chevron Joint Venture and its partners for deploying the program in Ogbe-Ijoh stressing the need to eradicate malaria scourge from the society because of its devastating effects on the people especially in the riverine areas. He pledged the support of the local government in ensuring the smooth implementation of the program and called on the traditional rulers and the people to support the program facilitators to achieve their objectives.
Also in his remarks at the event in Koko, the chairman,Warri North Local Government area, Evang. David Edun, who was represented by Mr.Nelson Egbe, the supervisory councilor for environment, commended the NNPC/Chevron Joint Venture for the program and emphasized that malaria was the most common disease in Nigeria and in Delta State which needs collaborative efforts by all to eradicate it. “Chevron is a good company that loves and cares for the people and we implore you to keep up the good work in Delta State and in the society at large,” he stated.
Earlier in her opening remarks, the Country Director, Africare, Dr. Orode Dohertythanked NNPC/Chevron Joint Venture for giving the organization the privilege to facilitate the program in Delta State. She explained that Africa’s malaria projects cover the entire Niger Delta with a combined catchment population of over 21 million adding that the activities include supporting the primary health centres with supplies to ensure prompt adequate malaria diagnosis, and treatment.
In his remarks at the events, Mr. Deji Haastrup, the General Manager, Policy Government and Public Affairs (PGPA) represented byMessrs. Trust Inimgba (PGPA Superintendent Warri) and Kunle Okegbemiro (Coordinator National Programmes)in Ogbe-Ijoh and Koko respectively, stated that the company was partnering with the Delta State government and others for the roll back malaria as part of its corporate responsibility commitments to supporting healthcare development in Nigeria.
He noted that malaria was a major killer disease in Nigeria severely affecting mostly children under five years of age and pregnant women adding that malaria was currently endemic in 99 countries, causing an estimated 219 million cases and 660,00 deaths per year according to World Health organization (WHO).Reiterating that malaria was preventable and could be eradicated, Mr. Haastrup noted that Chevron has been partnering with other stakeholders since 2009 to deploy the roll-back malaria program in various parts of the country adding that the company has also embarked on other health programs in the Niger Delta region including the donation of essential drugs to hospitals, execution of cottage hospital projects through its Global Memorandum of Understanding (GMoU) with relevant communities and the River boat clinic providing free healthcare services to the communities along the Escravos and Benin rivers.
The well-attendedeventswere witnessed by representatives of the Local Government councils, the traditional institutions, Africare, Society for Family Health, community men, women and children who turned out in large numbers for malaria testing and treatment. The target groups – pregnant women and children under five years of age were also well-represented at the events which featured malaria testing/treatment, enlightenment on malaria prevention and use of nets, presentation of Insecticide treated nets to the attendees and musical performances by the communities.
