NNPC/Chevron gets commendation for its roll-back malaria programme in Delta

The NNPC/Chevron Joint Venture have been commended by stakeholders for their commitment to health development in Nigeria through its roll-back malaria programme deployed in various parts of the country, especially in communities around its operations in the Niger Delta region, Fresh Anglecan report.

The commendation came following the roll-back malaria programmes organized by Chevron in partnership with Africare at Ogbe-Ijoh, Warri South-West and Koko in Warri North Local Government Areas of Delta State recently.

The programmes, which involved enlightenment on malaria prevention, malaria testing/treatment, distribution of Insecticide treated nets and sensitization on the use of the nets as well as Indoor residual spray in different houses in the communities, is aimed at providing support for malaria prevention, including health promotion activities that would significantly reduce the prevalence of the disease and benefit the population.

The Chairman of Warri South -West Local Government Transition Committee, Rev. Sam Ken who was represented by the council’s Supervisor for Education, Mr. Kingsley Esimaje, thanked the NNPC/Chevron Joint Venture and its partners for deploying the programme in Ogbe-Ijoh, stressing the need to eradicate malaria scourge from the society because of its devastating effects on the people, especially in the riverine areas.

He pledged the support of the local government in ensuring the smooth implementation of the programme and called on the traditional rulers and the people to support the programme facilitators to achieve their objectives.

 In his remark at the event in Koko, the Transition Committee Chairman of Warri North Local Government Area, Evang. David Edun, who was represented by the council’s Supervisor for Environment, Mr. Nelson Egbe, commended the NNPC/Chevron Joint Venture for the programme and noted that malaria is the most common disease in Nigeria and Delta State in particular, hence the need for collaborative efforts by all stakeholders to eradicate it. “Chevron is a good company that loves and cares for the people and we implore you to keep up the good work in Delta State and in the society at large,” the Warri North council boss stated.

Earlier in her opening remark, the Country Director, Africare, Dr. Orode Doherty thanked NNPC/Chevron Joint Venture for giving the organization the privilege to facilitate the programme in Delta State.

She explained that Africare’s malaria projects cover the entire Niger Delta with a combined catchment population of over 21 million, adding that the activities include supporting the primary health care centres with supplies to ensure prompt adequate malaria diagnosis and treatment.

In his remark at the events, the General Manager, Policy, Government and Public Affairs, PGPA, Chevron, Mr. Deji Haastrup, represented by Messrs. Trust Inimgba, PGPA Superintendent Warri and Kunle Okegbemiro, Coordinator, National Programmes in Ogbe-Ijoh and Koko respectively, stated that the company is partnering with the Delta State government and others for the roll -back malaria as part of its corporate responsibility towards supporting healthcare development in Nigeria.

He noted that malaria is a major killer disease in Nigeria, affecting mostly children under five years of age and pregnant women ,adding that malaria is currently endemic in 99 countries, causing an estimated 219 million cases and 660,00 deaths per year according to World Health organization WHO.

Reiterating that malaria is preventable and could be eradicated, Mr. Haastrup noted that Chevron has been partnering with other stakeholders since 2009 to deploy the roll-back malaria programme in various parts of the country, adding that the company has also embarked on other health programmes in the Niger Delta region, including the donation of essential drugs to hospitals, execution of cottage hospital projects through its Global Memorandum of Understanding,  GMoU with relevant communities and the ‘River Boat Clinic’ providing free healthcare services to the communities along the Escravos and Benin Rivers.

The well-attended events were witnessed by representatives of the Local Government Councils, the Traditional Institutions,   Africare, Society for Family Health, community men, women and children who turned out in large numbers for malaria testing and treatment.

The target groups - pregnant women and children under five years of age were also well-represented at the events which featured malaria testing/treatment, enlightenment on malaria prevention and, presentation   of Insecticide treated nets to the attendees and musical performances by use of nets the communities.

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