Hundreds of residents in Benin and the environs have benefited from the 2025 edition of the NEPL/Seplat Energy Joint Venture’s flagship healthcare initiative, “Eye Can See,” on Friday.

The free eye care services held at the Oba of Benin’s Palace in Benin witnessed a large turnout of people in the three-day programme.

Director of External Affairs & Social Performance, Seplat Energy, Chioma Afe, represented by the Senior Manager, Corporate Social Investment and Social Performance, Esther Icha, speaking during the free eye care services, including consultations, reading glasses, cataract surgeries and health education on conditions such as glaucoma, hypertension, and diabetes to thousands of beneficiaries in the JV’s host communities, said that the initiative has been sustained by the continued cooperation of the Joint Venture partners.

She said, “Every part of this programme is free of charge, and for those who have come here with other health challenges aside from eye problems, including hypertension or diabetes, we have doctors here to attend to them.”

The Commissioner for Health, Edo State, Dr. Cyril Adams Oshiomhole, represented by Dr. Edward Aisowieren, Director of Medical Services, commended the Seplat JV and acknowledged the concrete impact of the initiative.

He noted that in keeping with its name, the “Eye Can See” initiative is, indeed, positively transforming lives.

Oshiomhole said that more than half of the ailments that lead to permanent loss of sight are treatable and thanked Seplat Energy and its partners for coming to the rescue.

The Obkhavbaye of Benin, Chief Ralphael Oronsaye, who represented the Oba of Benin, commended the Seplat Energy JV and urged the people to always appreciatively take advantage of good initiatives by worthy corporate citizens.

Also present were representatives of the NNPC Exploration & Production Limited (NEPL), led by Owunari Tomikeimieye.

He commended the people for turning out en masse for the initiative and urged the parents to encourage their children and wards to help preserve oil and gas assets in their domain.

Dennis Laure, who spoke on behalf of the beneficiaries, thanked the Seplat JV for helping them overcome eye-health challenges, which have been negatively impacting their lifestyles and means of livelihood for many years.

Since its inception, the “Eye Can See” programme has recorded remarkable milestones, including 110,634 eye treatments, the distribution of 55,382 reading glasses, and the successful completion of 4,752 cataract surgeries.