An oil pipeline security firm has sponsored a three-day intensive community health outreach programme for natives of five communities in Onna local government area of Akwa Ibom state.
The firm, Seadove Generale Surveillance LTD, which operates in Onna, Mkpat Enin, Eastern Obolo, Ibeno and Esit Eket local government areas began the outreach yesterday at the Primary Health Centre in Abat, headquarters of Onna council area.
The programme is implemented by a non-governmental organization, Voice of Community and Environmental Rights Initiative with approval from the Akwa Ibom State Ministry of Health.
Patients were tested and treated for various ailments including eyecare, surgery among others.
Godwin Ekpo, executive director business and strategy, Seadove Generale Surveillance LTD, said the company intends to provide free medicare and other human capacity initiatives to it’s host communities as part of it’s community social responsibility (CSR).
Ekpo said that the medical outreach in Onna, the first by the company, targets at least 900 beneficiaries, adding that the programme will be done every quarter until it goes round all it’s host communities.
‘We are a private pipeline security company. We also provide marine, drilling, logistics services and other services in the oil and gas sector.
‘On the medical outreach programme, our target is 900 beneficiaries. For the three days we intend to attend to 300 persons each day. So far for today we have an overwhelming turnout of people. Also we targeting to carry out at least 40 surgeries.
‘We just started operations in Onna and for us we want to give back to our host communities as part of the company’s CSR. Health is very important so we thought it wise to give it back to the 38 communities within the 5 local government areas we operate in.
‘We decided to start with Onna and it be done every quarter until we cover the 38 communities where we currently operate. We have a five-year programme’, he said.
The chairman of Onna local government area, Kufre Umoren thanked the firm for the free medical outreach for indigenes of the council area.
Umoren added that the programme aligns with Governor Umo Eno’s commitment and investment in the health sector as encapsulated in his ARISE Agenda.
The village head of Ikot Ntuen, Eteidung Ubong Ekanem while appreciating the company for it’s gesture urged natives to avail themselves of the programme.