Mkpoikana Udoma
Port Harcourt — An indigenous electricity firm, Genesis Electricity Limited, has distributed food items, personal protective equipment and medical consumables to its host communities in Okrika and Eleme Local Government Areas of Rivers State.
The items distributed include bags of rice, cartons of nose masks and hand sanitisers.
Speaking, the Deputy General Manager, Finance and Administration, GEL Utility, Mr. Obaitor Mohammed, said the gesture was to cushion the excruciating effects of the COVID-19 pandemic in its host communities, especially on the less privileged and the elderly.
Mohammed while handing over the items to the benefiting communities, said the donations would ameliorate the negative effects of the lockdowns in the state and the country which had cut off the livelihoods of the people.
He added that the company could not turn a blind eye to the sufferings of the people at a time of dire need.
“As a company that is sensitive to the plight of our host communities, the Chairman of GEL, Mr Akinwole Omoboriowo today decided to alleviate the people’s plight to further engender the cordial relationship the company share with its host communities even in this era of COVID-19.
“Our host communities have been very supportive of our operations here over the years and now that there is pressure on the people as their means of livelihood have been affected because of the lockdowns in the state and in the country, GEL Utility decided to intervene in alleviating the difficulties facing the people.”
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Receiving the items on behalf of Okrika community, the Chairman, Joint Community Relations Committee, Okrika Local Government Area Cluster Board, Chief Tamuno Akaluogbo, commended the company for the donations and promised to distribute the items to his people.
“We are very grateful to receive this materials, it is not easy at this point in time for a sub-contracting firm to recognise and remember the poor people, we really appreciate it and the community as a whole would receive these donations accordingly.”
Also, the Chairman, Joint Community Relations Committee, Eleme Cluster Board, Chief Whyte Obari-Ekee, who received the items for Eleme people also commended the company for the kind gesture.
“The donors of this palliatives have tried so much, as a sub-contracting firm to Port Harcourt Refining Company Limited have really made us happy for them to show us this sense of social corporate responsibility.
“These palliatives would get to all the downtrodden and less privileged in our community to cushion the negative effects of this COVID-19 pandemic,” he said.