The General Manager of the Abia State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (ASOPADEC), Dr. Joshua Onyeike, has called on Millennium Oil and Gas Company to prioritize corporate social responsibility (CSR) for the benefit of communities in Ukwa West Local Government Area, where the company operates. He emphasized that the local residents should reap the rewards of the crude oil produced on their land.

During a meeting with company representatives at his office, Dr. Onyeike stated that the purpose of the engagement was to assess the company’s operations and its developmental plans for both the state and the local communities. He reiterated ASOPADEC’s responsibility to ensure that oil companies in the region remit the appropriate proceeds and contribute positively to community development.

Dr. Onyeike requested data on the company’s remittances to the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) from 2019 to date. He also assured that the Commission would submit the developmental needs of the Ozaa community and expressed readiness to collaborate with Millennium Oil and Gas for the betterment of the community and Abia State.

The company’s Operations Manager, Mr. Kingsley Etok-Akpan, who was unable to attend the meeting due to health reasons, joined the session via telephone. He assured the ASOPADEC team that the company has been consistent in its remittances and pledged to provide operational data. Mr. Etok-Akpan also affirmed the company’s commitment to maintaining a strong relationship with the community, ASOPADEC, and the state.

Additionally, Mr. Chukwudozie Okeafor, Head of Government Interface at the company, thanked ASOPADEC for fostering good working relations and promised to reciprocate the Commission’s efforts. He was accompanied by Mr. Okoli Michael, a staff member of the company.

The meeting concluded with an interactive session between ASOPADEC and the company’s representatives, attended by management staff of the Commission.

Reported by
Iyke Onuegbu
Head Media/PRO, ASOPADEC