OIL COMPANY LAUNCHES DEV ASSISTANCE PROGRAMME (Page 28)

Story: Kwame Asiedu Marfo, Kengen

TULLOW Oil Company — an oil and gas exploration, development and production company — has launched the second phase of its development assistance estimated at $300,000 to help some communities and a second-cycle educational institution in the Jomoro District of the Western Region.
Under the development assistance, the science laboratory of the Half Assini Senior High School (SHS) will be refurbished and equipped at a cost of about $100,000 to become full-fledged science resource centre for the benefit of other SHSs in the district.
Thirty boreholes fitted with pumps will be provided for some selected communities in the district.
The objective of providing potable water for the communities is to save the people, especially schoolchildren, from trekking long distances to fetch water, so that they can attend school early.
Last year, the oil company provided 26 mechanised boreholes and boreholes fitted with pumps at an estimated cost of about GH ¢100,000 for selected communities, under the first phase of its development assistance programme.
Speaking at the launch of the projects at Kengen, the Western Regional Minister, Mr A.E. Amoah, noted that inadequate provision of social infrastructure such as housing, water, electricity, education and health, was a major constraint in the development of many communities in the country.
“We are therefore fortunate to have companies such as Tullow Oil, which are prepared to assist in those areas,” he said.
“Today’s programme is a demonstration of how far Tullow is prepared to go to enhance its performance as a good corporate citizen. We commend you on the good work done in this area,” Mr Amoah stated.
He assured the management of Tullow Oil that the government would not relent in its efforts to promote the private sector, since it was the engine of growth for the economy.
According to Mr Amoah, it was only when the private sector was made to grow that the economy could be expanded to provide the needed jobs and the consequent wealth creation.
“While commending you on your achievement so far, I wish to urge you to aim higher so that your company can grow and enjoy the goodwill of oil,” he stressed.
The Jomoro District Chief Executive (DCE), Mr Martin Yamekeh Ackah, said for the past seven years, the district had witnessed a considerable positive change in the social, economic and political spectrum.
“Indeed, Jomoro has gained considerable mileage on the development trail by the present government unprecedented in the history of the district, and there is no turning back,“ he emphasised.
Mr Ackah stated that three months ago, the company formally announced its presence in the district by declaring its unflinching support for the progress of the district.
He said in demonstration of its commitment to support the development of the district, Tullow in its first phase of assistance, provided seven mechanised boreholes to Ahobre, Mangyea, Effasu and Elloyin.
The DCE added that the company had also provided five boreholes with pumps to Anlomatuope, Mpeasem, Appolunu, Half Assini and Annor Adjaye SHS.
He said the continued support received from Tullow was a wake-up call on other companies operating in the area to live up to expectation.
Mr Ackah advised the beneficiary communities to devise appropriate mechanisms to ensure the longevity of the projects for posterity.
The Country Manager of Tullow Oil Company, Mr Kofi Esson, explained that the company was prepared to assist the communities to implement development projects, which would affect their lives positively.
A representative of the Ghana National Petroleum Company, Mr Ben Asante, stated that Tullow Oil Company was providing the projects as part of its social responsibility, and therefore urged the communities to ensure proper maintenance of the projects.
The Paramount Chief of the Western Nzema Traditional Area, Awulae Annor Adjaye III, said the traditional council had decided to establish Information Communication Technology (ICT) at Beyin, Tikobo Number One, Semeye, Half Assini and Effaso-Mangyea.
He, therefore, appealed to Tullow Oil Company for assistance.
He said the chiefs and people would provide the oil company their maximum support to enable it to operate effectively in the area.