OpeOluwani Akintayo
Lagos — Borne out of the need to mitigate the gaps in qualitative and technical education, maternal and child health, access to clean water, and women & youth empowerment, French oil giant, Total Upstream Nigeria Limited and its Joint Venture partners have commissioned a newly built model secondary school in Oginibo, Otu-Jeremi, Ughelli South LGA, Delta State.
The official opening and handing over of the facility was held on Thursday to enable it to be put into use by the community.
While delivering his speech during the virtual commissioning, Managing Director, Total E&P, Mike Sangster said the projects are in line with the United Nations Sustainable Goals, adding that the location of the project was carefully chosen for maximum impact after the Needs Assessment which were carried out before the deployment.
According to him, the completion and commissioning of the project is in furtherance of the Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives of Total JV deepwater operations.
“It is important to note that these projects were realised using the novel approach of “Project Managers”. This approach which is new in the industry, permits the delivery of projects in remote and challenging environments while ensuring the use of local expertise and stakeholder engagement”.
“I am very happy the pilot projects worked. We are using the “retour d`experience” i.e. Return on Experience, to improve our processes and deliver our 2nd and 3rd Phases faster and better”.
“I am happy also to inform you, distinguished guests, that the project we are commissioning today is a purpose built, fully equipped Model Secondary School”.
The massive structure which comes with all the rudiments of a complete model school, sits on 7,000m2 and consists of two buildings – 1) An Administrative Block consisting of well laid out, equipped and furnished offices for the principal, vice principal, secretary as well as two other teachers, Sick Bay with all its appurtenances and Storage facilities – 2) a Main School Block consisting of 12 classrooms fully equipped for 40 students each, five state-of-the-art science laboratories, two libraries and one ICT Lab among several other wonderful features.
The complex comes complete with integrated power supply to assure constant and uninterrupted power supply to the facility consisting of mains power supply, one 60kva soundproof generator and 15kva solar powered inverter (supported by 48 roof-mounted solar panels), borehole with water reticulation, 10 capacity car park facility, driveway, walkways, courtyard and beautiful landscaping.
“As already mentioned, the project we are commissioning today is one of the several projects being deployed across the entire country”. Because of the Covid-19 pandemic we could not be physically present with you today.
“I thank our partners NNPC, SAPETRO, PRIME and CNOOC, who have joined us in providing the means, the processes and the resources that enabled us to deploy these local development projects. I also thank our several stakeholders including the State & Local Governments, beneficiary institution and the Project Managers for their support”, he said.
While handing over the project, Sangster implored the school administrators to ensure its sustainable use so as to impact on the people positively.
“The sustainability barometer shall be seen during our Impact Assessment Exercise, when we will come back to check how this project has helped and improved the lives of the community where it is”, he added.
In 2017, Total commenced its robust plan to deploy CSR Infrastructure developments across the country. In its 1st Phase, a total of 33 projects were launched in 2017 in the areas of Education, Health, Capacity Building and Access to Water across the country. All these projects, including the one commissioned today, have since been completed.
In its 2nd Phase, another 24 projects were launched in 2018 and yet another 27 projects were launched in 2019 in the 3rd Phase. These 51 projects in the 2nd and 3rd Phases are currently under construction and will be commission when completed.
The projects are being executed by Total Upstream Companies in Nigeria, NNPC, and it’s PSC partners: PRIME (formerly PETROBRAS), SAPETRO & CNOOC.
Speaking on behalf of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, Bala Wunti, Group General Manager, National Petroleum Investment Management Service, NAPIMS said the Corporation’s vision for social intervention is to continue to operate in an ethical and sustainable manner and deal with the environment and social impacts occasioned by its activities.
“We pride ourselves in our slogan “we touch your lives in many positive ways” hence the approval for the deployment of various CSR projects by our operators across the country for maximum impact”.
NNPC alongside its partners have implemented various projects in the areas of education (building and equipping of schools/ classrooms, laboratories, donation of books, scholarships, Quiz competition,) skill acquisitions and economic empowerment, healthcare, solar power and other infrastructural intervention projects.
“We are socially responsible organizations committed to improving the livelihood of the citizens of our great country, Nigeria”, he said, adding that NNPC will continue to consistently champion the implementation of Sustainable Community Development projects that will positively impact the lives of the Nigerian citizens.
“Today distinguished guests, the project we are commissioning is a purpose built, fully equipped Model Secondary School state-of-the art facilities. It also boasts of its own borehole water supply and an integrated power supply system consisting of the mains power, solar powered inverter and 45KVA generator, to assure uninterrupted power to the facility”.
He then expressed appreciation to the contractor, TUPNI and its partners SAPETRO, PRIME and CNOOC.
“I also thank our Federal, State and Local Government stakeholders as well as the beneficiaries for your support in delivering this facility”, adding that the school is expected to protect and most importantly put the facility into the best use in a sustainable manner.
