Firm receives approval to build estate for Akwa Ibom host communities

An indigenous oil firm, Oriental Energy Resources Limited, OERL, says it has received the necessary regulatory approvals to build a residential estate for oil-bearing communities in Mbo local government area of Akwa Ibom state.

The managing director of the company, Mr Mustafa Indimi disclosed this during an interactive session with members of the House of Representatives Committee on Implementation of Corporate Social Responsibility(CSR), in Uyo at the weekend.

According to Indimi who was represented by Kazeem Koleoso Head of external Relations OERL, the residential estate consist of eighty(80) units of one-bedroom apartments, two gate houses and estate management office.

Other features of the estate are health facility, six classrooms, water supply, recreational park, service yard and other ancillary facilities.

Indimi said, “Let me start by informing you that Oriental Energy believes in creating positive sustainable footprints through projects and programmes that improve the quality of life of people in various communities.

“We have several verifiable examples of completed and ongoing projects and programmes which attest to our philosophy on social investments.

“..I am pleased to share that we received the necessary regulatory approvals and have commenced the process which will culminate in the construction and handover of Oriental Energy Village Mbo to the beneficiaries.

“This project is a residential estate development consisting of Eighty (80) units of one -bedroom apartment, two Gate houses, estate management office, health facility, six classrooms, water supply system, recreational park, service yard and other ancillary facilities.

“Oriental Village Mbo is a flagship social investment for the general benefit of Effiat, Enwang, Ebughu, Uda and Udesi communities in Mbo local government area, Akwa Ibom state.

“When completed in 2025, it will be commissioned and handed over at no cost to these communities as a gift from Oriental Energy Resources limited. With a total area of 1.959 hectares, the project site is located along Ewang-Unyeghe road in Eyo-Ukut, Ewang.

“Beyond delivery, it is important to note here that all our projects and programmes are designed to contribute towards the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals(SDGs) as adopted by the United Nations in September 2015”.

In her remarks , the Chairman House of Representatives Committee on Implementation of Corporate Social Responsibility(CSR), Professor Oby Lilian Orogbu commended Oriental Energy for giving back to its host communities.

Orogbu, however said, the House of Reps will not hesitate to penalize oil companies that are not fulfilling their corporate social responsibility to their host communities.