INTELS supports Rivers communities with N14 billion projects

As part of its Corporate Social Responsibility, INTELS Nigeria Limited, has expended about N14 billion on various community development projects in Rivers State.

General Manager, Legal Services of INTELS, Mike Epelle, who disclosed this during the official visit to the paramount ruler of Onne Clan, said the company has also put in place programmes and policies that have engendered peace and sustainable development in its relationship with its host communities.

Such community development projects are ways operating companies impact on their host communities with a view to improving the well-being of the people.

Similarly, INTELS Head, Government and Public Affairs, David Alagoa, said the company’s integrated participatory approach (IPA) identifies integration, participation, communication, interaction, and dialogue as important elements of its community relations development plan.

He said: “We don’t dictate to the communities, we ask them what they want. We engage them and find out what will benefit the largest number of people and that will be sustainable. That is our approach.

“Our CSR has three major components. First is to empower the indigenes of the host communities in a sustainable way through the provision of employment and improved welfare; second to plan and execute integrated community development programmes with full community input and participation, and third to adopt ‘best practices’ that guarantee community friendly operations.”

He said in addition to supporting various sporting activities, and building roads, INTELS Nigeria has provided drainages, street lights, ultra-modern markets, modern classroom blocks, free health services; ICT centres; town halls and community centres; skill acquisition centres; public toilets; civic centres; and renovated the palaces of traditional rulers.

Alagoa said the company has also embarked on an aggressive empowerment scheme, with the aim of improving the quality of lives of people in the host communities.

“We have put in place the Women Empowerment Project Scheme Synergy (WEPSS); a mobile clinic to offer free medical services and provided skills acquisition training for the benefits of our people in the host community,” he said.

The Paramount Ruler of Onne Clan, Rivers State, King John Dennis Osaronu lauded INTELS for the huge positive impact it has created in the community.

The royal father said: “Since INTELS came into our community, we have got so many changes and things are going on so well with us. They have empowered our children, men and women. They have built roads and provided us medical services.

Recently they built us a 10-kilometre tarred road. They have built for us three schools and given us drainage system for the community.”