Okomu oil firm partners foundation to foster peace with host communities
Okomu Oil Palm Company Plc (OOPC) has partnered with the Foundation for Partnership Initiatives in the Niger Delta (PIND) to promote peace and development in its host communities.
The partnership, which was formalised through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), is to strengthen OOPC’s relationships with its neighbouring communities and promote sustainable development.
The PIND is a non-profit organisation that promotes peace and equitable economic growth in the Niger Delta region.
The company’s Managing Director, Dr Graham Hefer, said on Thursday, December 19, 2024, that the partnership was a significant step towards fostering peace and development in the company’s host communities.
“We recognise the importance of maintaining good relationships with our host communities.
“Our partnership with PIND is a demonstration of our commitment to promoting peace and development in these communities,” Dr Hefer said.
The managing director said the company, which had its footprint in over 29 communities in the state, had over time engaged these communities through the company’s corporate social responsibility programme (CSR).
According to him, the partnership is aimed to further cement the existing relationships, particularly in the areas of peacebuilding, conflict prevention and resolution, community stabilisation, among others.
Hefer said the step was meant to further foster acceptable and sustainable social impact returns to both the communities and the company in future.
The OOPC boss asserted that the reputation of PIND as a credible NGO was what spurred the company to enter into the agreement, while expressing his optimism that this will benefit all parties involved.
On his part, PIND’s Programme Director, Dr Effiong Essien, commended the oil palm firm for its commitment to community development.
“We are excited to partner with OOPC to promote peace and development in its host communities. We look forward to working together to achieve this goal,” Essien said.
