Over 2000 indigents in Imo State including aged people, widows and children with sight challenges have received free surgeries and care services courtesy of NNPC/Seplat Joint Venture (JV).

Speaking at the opening ceremony, on Wednesday, the Director, External Affairs and Social Performance, Seplat Energy Plc, Mrs. Chioma Afe said, the three-day outreach, held in Owerri on Wednesday, falled under the company’s ‘Eye Can See’ signature Corporate Social Investment (CSI) programme.

Afe, represented by the General Manager, Corporate Social Investment & Social Performance, Seplat Energy Plc, Mrs. Esther Icha, disclosed that since the inception of the outreach in 2017, 23,447 have been screened, 797 surgeries conducted while 13,525 eye glasses have been given out to beneficiaries, all at no cost to the beneficiaries.

She explained that the initiative was designed to impact the health and wellbeing of host communities by providing free access to essential eye care services, including screenings, reading glasses and cataract surgeries.

She said, “the current cost of eye care, “makes it very imperative for the NNPC/Seplat JV to sustain the programme and drive penetration; thus, impacting a wide array of persons in the communities from the inception of the intervention health programme in 2017.”

Afe added that the initiative aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3 on Good Health and Well-Being, and underscores the Joint Venture’s broader commitment to delivering sustainable, high-impact social investments.

“For us as a company, we are very happy to do this because of the positive impacts on the stakeholders at the community level”, she stressed.” She added.

In his remarks, the Acting Chief Upstream Investment Officer, NNPC Upstream Investment Management Services (NUIMS), Olanrewaju Igandan, welcomed all present and lauded Seplat Energy for driving the initiative which has seen the JV Partners restore not just vision but hope to many members of host communities.

Igandan, represented by Bunmi Lawson, Deputy Manager, External Relations, NUIMS, asserted that the: “NNPC Limited is dedicated to making a positive difference in the lives of people who host our businesses and operations. These efforts have changed many lives, giving people the opportunity to see clearly and enjoy life again.”

Looking to the future, he assured, “We recognize that there are still many challenges and there is more work to be done. The goal is not just eyecare but to support welfare and more prosperous communities.”

The beneficiaries expressed delight at the opportunity and thanked the JV partners for bailing them out of critical health challenges. Dr Fred Nnamdi, Lolo Igolo Njemanze, and Chief Ernest Onyeneke, three of whom benefited from eye surgeries, amongst others, commended the Joint Venture for giving them a pleasant experience with a wonderful life-changing initiative, at no cost.

They gave kudos to the team of medical personnel for excellent service delivery, which has restored their sight and given them a good chance of better life in the days ahead.

Beneficiaries are also screened for other health challenges like high blood pressure and diabetes, amongst others, and provided with professional counselling, drugs and referrals for patients as needed.