Seplat Petroleum Development : holds groundbreaking ceremony of project for power supply to Oben Cottage Hospital

publication | 21 June 2021

Seplat holds groundbreaking ceremony of project for power supply to Oben Cottage Hospital

Seplat Plc, a leading Nigerian independent energy company listed on both the Nigerian and London stock exchanges, has held its groundbreaking ceremony of the project for power supply to Oben Cottage Hospital from its Oben gas facility at Oben Orhionmwon Local Government Area of Edo State, as as part of the Company's continuous community development programmes.

The epic event, which took place on the 9^th of June, is in line with Seplat's mandate to continue to do more for the community and ensure a firm sustenance of value creation by Seplat for the people.

Seplat had earlier ensured reconnection of the Hospital to the national grid in addition to provision of energy supply from the generator provided at the hospital. The Company overhauled the generating sets at the hospital as back-up to power supply and provide diesel regularly to power the generating sets.

Speaking at the ceremony, Mr. Roger Brown, Chief Executive Officer, Seplat, said: 'The company took these measures to ensure supply of electricity supply to the Cottage Hospital in the short-term while at the same time worked assiduously to put in place a reliable option for potentially an uninterrupted 24-hours power supply to the Hospital for the long-term. To ensure a more sustainable constant power supply we continued with our plan to supply electricity to the hospital from our facility here in Oben.'

Mr. Brown added: 'Seplat is therefore happy with this epoch-making groundbreaking ceremony. The project is designed to provide the Cottage Hospital uninterrupted power supply directly from our Oben new Field Logistics Base and thus enable the hospital to provide adequate health care services to Oben Field Communities of Oben, Iguelaba, Ikobi and Obozogbe N'Ugu and its environs.'

The Seplat CEO, who lauded the people of Oben for their cooperation and partnership over the years, also recognised Dr. (Pa) Ekhaguosa Aisien, a foremost medical practitioner from the community, who had expressed committed drive for improvement of the hospital. Pa Aisien was ably represented by Apostle (Dr.) Osarumwense Aisien. 'This represents another milestone with regards to our Company's unwavering commitment to adding positive value to the lives of inhabitants of our host communities,' Mr. Brown stressed.

Also speaking at the event, the Director, External Affairs and Sustainability, Seplat, Dr. Chioma Nwachuku, alluded to Seplat's drive for continuity and sustainability, noting that with the Company's corporate philosophy of adding value to the host communities where it operates, 'we are determined as a responsive and responsible organization to contribute to the development of our host communities.

'We are optimistic that the supply of gas generated power from our new Oben Field Logistics Base through a direct dedicated power line to the hospital will create immeasurable values to our community members even as we wish all excellent health always.'

In his remark, Pa Aisien commended Seplat for being committed to working the talk and for sustaining the tempo in the operations of the hospital; whilst urging other corporates to emulate the gesture and see to the continuous creation and retention of value.

'Seplat deserves our collective gratitude. We are indeed grateful for all the Company's effort to improve the quality of life of our people,' Pa Aisien added.

Also in attendance were Seplat Joint Venture (JV) partners (NPDC), government dignitaries and His Royal Highness, Odoligie Frederick Ogiemwonyi, The Enogie of Oben; other community leaders and members. The Managing Director, Seplat West Ltd, Mr. Folorunso Afolabi and the Western Asset Base Manager, Mr. Emmanuel Otokhine were also among the Seplat team present.

Mr. Noble Imabibo, Deputy Manager, Community Relations at NPDC, who represented the Company's Managing Director, thanked all stakeholders for their commitment to the realization of the feat, whilst expressing optimism for more developments in the community.

The project for power supply to Oben Cottage Hospital from its Oben gas facility is in sync with Seplat's Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) philosophy, which is premised on improving the wellbeing of inhabitants host communities of operation. Seplat has also continued to provide health improvement programmes the Eye Can See programme targeted at patients with visual impairment offering surgery for cataract related visual impairment; the Safe Motherhood (a health programme for pregnant women and nursing mothers), amongst others.

the Oben Field Communities and other Communities are beneficiaries of these programmes and other community projects.