Total empowers 5,000 in Rivers community

TOTAL Exploration and Production (TEPENG) has empowered at least 5,000 people in Egi community in Ogba/Egbema Local Government Area of Rivers State through its Small Medium Enterprises (SME) programme.

  The Deputy Managing Director of the company Nicolas Brunet disclosed this recently during a press conference on promoting enterprises development in Egi community.

  Represented by the Executive General Manager, Port Harcourt District, Joseph Ajilore, Brunet noted that no nation grows without SME’s and job creation.

  He stated that, engagement in productive enterprises and creation of decent jobs are the main routes out of poverty.

   Brunet said, “The initiative of supporting local entrepreneurial development is essential to increasing economic opportunities and unlocking the potentials of youths in contributing towards the growth of local economies”.

  He noted that the gesture was aimed at expanding the range of economic activities within its host communities to enhance citizens well being.

  “This is a partnership with the twin objective of promoting and encouraging the growth of local entrepreneurship and job creation in our Oml 58 host communities, “The Deputy Managing Director added.

  Brunet however, solicited the support and encouragement of all stakeholders within the communities to ensure the success of the effort.

  Similarly, the Acting Centre Manager, SME-DN, Nwaerema Peace, said SMEs in Egiland of OML58 is another phase in the economic survival of Egi people.

  He said, “No SMEs, no nation; this is because SMEs are the backbone of any successful economy. Therefore, for any nation to attain economic buoyancy, it must address challenges militating against its SMEs by creating enabling environment for their operations to kick off.”

  He noted that TEPENG, through its interventionist centre, SME-DN, has driven the paradigm shift from oil and gas contract-driven economy to an enterprise-driven economy.

  Peace said, Total initiates and supported the mission to make its host communities less dependent on oil and gas business alone.