The French Oil and gas giant , Total Exploration and Production Nigeria Limited has uplifted the economic lives of 160 widows in snail farming and distributed improved palm seedlings to 21 landlords all in Egi communities of Ogba/ Egbema / Ndoni local government area of Rivers state.
In his keynote address, the deputy general manager, community affairs and development, Total T & P Nigeria Limited, Mr James Urho, said that “NNPC/TEPNG’s support agricultural programmes for their host community. Farmers is constantantly geared towards sustainable objectives that will not only empower the beneficiaries , but also create an economic independence that will continue into the future.”
160 widows drawn from 16 Egi communities received the empowerment to venture into farming in addition to starter packs consisting specially designed cages and 100pcs point of lay African Giant__Achatina, coupled with training on the rearing techniques to them by the company.
Other set of beneficiaries in the check list of the company’s empowerment programme are 21 landlord families to support and strengthen the deliberate programme of economic growth and development of the OML58 communities in the area of agriculture. Mr Urho observed that the numerous agric extension service introduced by the company to drive the processes were yielding the desired positive results.
Urho, reiterated TEPNG’s resolve to continue to partner with dedicated farmers who want to genuinely key into the multinational’s agricultural dream in OML 58 communities.
He therefore encouraged all the beneficiaries of the various projects to make good use of the desired results, by becoming successful in their ventures, noting that it will in turn, spur Total to see the need to do more.
“Today’s ceremony is symbolic because we are going to officially empower (training, rearing and supply) of 100pcs. Point of lay African Giant – Achatina Mangrinata Snails and cages to 160 widows are drawn from all the 16 Egi communities. We will also today distribute improved palm seedlings to 21 families from Egi Land,” Urho stressed.
