Tecnimont, NNPC Give Starter Packs, Award Certificates to Trainees from Host Communities
 Reveal The Port Harcourt Refinery Will Soon Be Fully Operational
By Nwafor Awala

Tecnimont in collaboration with the Port Harcourt Refinery Company (PHRC), a subsidiary of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) on Thursday 30th May handed starter packs and awarded certificates to 50 members of the host communities of Eleme and Okirika local government areas who participated in the Catering, Fashion Designing and Tailoring Skills Training Programme to commence their trades at the Genesis Academy, Trans Amadi in Port Harcourt.

In his address at the event, representative of Tecnimont and the company’s Community Relations Manager, Chief F D Omeme said the initiative to equip members of the host communities with skills is in line with the understanding between the companies and the communities.

“It is important for us to teach you how to make your own money. What Tecnomont and PHRC have done in this passing out exercise in Catering, Fashion Designing and Tailoring is a source of empowerment to the community and is an accomplishment to our understanding with the Okrika and Eleme LGAs as host communities to our companies”, Omeme said and revealed that the Port Harcourt refinery will soon be fully operational, adding that Tecnomont has successfully achieved the mechanical completion of the rehabilitation works of the old plant, also known as Area 5.

Chief Omeme commended the beneficiaries of the training for collaborating with their instructors and urged them to put into efficient use the starter packs by setting up their own small-scale businesses as the companies will provide working capital for them.

He commended the efforts made by chiefs and other segments of the host communities to maintain cordiality and peace.

“I commend the efforts of the paramount ruler of Alesa, His Royal Highness, Emere Emperor J D Nkpe; King of Eleme Kingdom, His Royal Majesty, King Philip Osaro Obele and His Royal Majesty, King Ateke Tom, Amanyanabo of Okochiri Kingdom for maintaining peace and cordiality in their respective domains” he said, maintaining that peace and order in the host communities was the reason for the work progress achieved thus far by the company.

Omeme further commended the Managing Director of Wesham Oil & Gas Services, High Chief Sunny Nkpe for ensuring a smooth working relationship among all stakeholders and for being supportive and available whenever the company called on him.

He, however, warned the beneficiaries of the training not to sell the starter packs as the progress of their businesses would be monitored.

In his opening speech at the ceremony, the representative of PHRC, Mr. Theophilius Oyemade said acquiring trade is a valid instrument of economic advancement for the trainees as it provides them the chance to traverse their hidden inventive abilities, develop self-determination to enable them scout for paths for better economic engagement.

Oyemade pledged PHRC’s commitment to maintaining an amiable accord with its host communities which are part of the company’s success story, adding that the company will keep on exploring paths of building the needed synergy between the company and them.

He charged the beneficiaries to change the story that vocational jobs are inferior to career jobs.

On his part, a stakeholder of Eleme Community and Managing Director of Wesham Oil & Gas Services, High Chief Sunny Nkpe applauded Tecnomont and PHRC for ensuring each trainee got starter packs and added that it would go a long way in helping them unleash their inherent talents.

Sunny Nkpe who is also the Zonal Chairman of Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN), South South zone and onetime Chairman, Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) stated further that he was happy for the milestone reached by Tecnomont in its rehabilitation works at the Port Harcourt refinery thus far. He said when the refinery would be fully operational, employment and other forms of gainful engagements would take the youths off the streets of the host communities.

He commended the beneficiaries of being of good behaviours throughout the training, adding that the skills have given them new paths in life. He further urged them to contribute meaningfully to the growth of the society as entrepreneurs.

Chief Nkpe who made cash donation in support of the beneficiaries also appealed to them to make their communities of Eleme and Okirika proud.

In their remarks, Anthony Obari, the Joint Community Relations Committee (JCRC) Chairman, representing the Eleme community and Tamuno Akalugbo, the JCRC Chairman, representing the Okrika community gave their gratitude to PHRC and Tecnomont for the programme.

Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, Mrs Njuba Loveday Obari said the companies have added value to their lives with the new skills they have acquired. He thanked the company for the opportunity and assured that they would use it judiciously for the benefit of their communities.

The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and Tecnimont SpA signed the engineering procurement and construction (EPC) contract for the rehabilitation of the Port Harcourt refinery in 2021.

Nwafor Awala