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Management of the Nigerian Petroleum Development Company (NPDC) in collaboration with ND Western has declared that its priority at the moment is to help its personnel and Nigerian survive the coronavirus pandemic.
Manager, Government Relations, Community and Security, NPDC/NDW OML 34 JV, Sheidu Aiguedo, who spoke on behalf of the Chief Operating Officer (COO), Chief Edirin Abanwa, stated this while distributing the palliatives as part of measures to assist the Delta State government to contain the COVID-19 pandemic in the state.
He said, “Prior to this time NPDC and ND Western had contributed to the Delta State government in preparation for the COVID-19 pandemic. The idea was to help government preparation should there be any infection in the state.”
Aiguedo disclosed that no fewer than 33 communities benefitted from palliatives in the form of foodstuff including rice, beans and garri estimated at N25m, which were deposited at the palace of the monarch of Otu-Jeremi kingdom, Ughelli South Council Area, from where president-generals collected the food items on behalf of their communities.
“As of today, we are all aware that government has recorded about four cases, but the good news is that the government has a good level of preparedness for the pandemic and that was courtesy of our own gesture.
“We thought it wise, because there is lockdown and we are aware that the government also needed support in order to reach out to the people to help them alleviate whatever inconvenience they might face to help curb the spread of the pandemic,” he stated.
He expressed appreciation to the Otu-Jeremi monarch for allowing the joint venture use his palace hall to store the foodstuffs before distribution.
Aiguedo compared the Covid-19 pandemic to a war situation, saying the first thing to do was to take cover and protect oneself, neighbours and the communities to survive the ‘war.’
He said the most cause for concern are cases who don’t have the symptoms, but are able to spread it, noting that it was easier to handle people who exhibit symptoms, as they could be easily identified and isolated.
He explained that informed government’s decision to ask people to stay at home so the pandemic can be controlled, adding that if the COVID-19 pandemic was to be effectively contained, the people must experience some inconvenience so that they could survive.
“The pandemic had taken a toll on the operations of not only our company, but the whole world. Oil price has plunged to less than $20 per barrel and that is a significant drop. No company planned for this, but our priority now is safety of our personnel and all Nigerians,” he added.
