Seplat Petroleum Development Company Plc, a leading Nigerian independent energy company, has said it was committed to deploying resources and expertise to create and deliver sustainable value to meet the expectations of its various stakeholders.
Its chief executive officer, Mr. Roger Brown, stated this at the Facts Behind the Sustainability Report presentation made to the Nigerian Stock exchange (NSE) through virtual session.
He said, “We adopt an inclusive stakeholder management approach; integrate sustainability into our core business model and strategy; embed Sustainability concept and practice companywide; operate the highest standard of corporate governance; leverage on stakeholder engagement in determining materiality; and exhibit a strong belief in our shared Value philosophy.”
On Seplat’s response to climate change, he said it was strongly adhering to its flare out campaign to reduce carbon footprint, and has gone ahead to established a science-based assessment of our greenhouse gases emissions and reporting, adding that SEPLAT is currently investing in new infrastructure and R&D to help capture some of the emissions not previously reported.
He said Seplat had invested extensively on development of local suppliers, of which over 98 per cent of materials are sourced from Nigeria, adding: “We have a deliberate policy of encouraging local contractors in the award of some jobs. The company takes the issue of local content delivery seriously.”
In his address, the NSE chief executive officer, Oscar N. Onyema, said: “There is a recognised need for enhanced levels of corporate transparency on Environment, Social and Governance (ESG), and as an exchange we are well positioned to encourage and even require listed companies to produce better sustainability reports that are issued consistently and with comparable information.”
Also speaking, the divisional head, trading business at the NSE, Jude Chiemeka, said sustainability “is a journey and various companies are in their different stages of achievement and reporting.”
“We respect the rights of employees, community people and their culture. We maintain a non-discriminatory posture in recruitment devoid of gender, religion, tribe or other such considerations, and adhere to national and international labour laws and protocols,” he said.
