Chevron, Agbami Partners Boost Delta Road Safety with Power Bikes

Omon-Julius Onabu in Asaba

In spite of disruption of its operations in Delta State by series of bombing of its facilities by militants, American oil giant, Chevron, has indicated its readiness to continue discharging its corporate social responsibilities to the people of the state including support for road safety measures.

Donation of three modern police patrol motorcycles to the Delta State Command of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) by the Agbami Co-venturers was the highpoint of the launching of the “Arrive Alive” road safety programme at Asaba, Delta State.

The safety programme is a partnership involving the Arrive Alive Road Safety Initiative (AARSI), the Delta State Capital Territory Development Agency (DSCTDA) and the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC).

Speaking at the brief ceremony to mark the occasion, held near the Asaba Airport on the Benin-Asaba Expressway, the Director of Star Deepwater Petroleum Limited, Mr Jeffrey Ewing, noted that firms in the Agbami Co-venturers placed high premium on the issue of safety.

Star Deepwater company is a subsidiary of Chevron, with other Agbami co-venturers including Famfa Oil Limited, Statoil Nigeria Limited, Petroleo Brasileiro Nigeria Limited as well as the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).

Ewing, who was represented by the Community of Deepwater Petroleum (Chevron) Lagos, Mr Ugo Mgbemene, noted that the donation of the motorbikes was in line with the company’s commitment to conducting business in Nigeria “in a socially responsible manner, adding value to the lives of the people and contributing to the socio-economic development of Nigeria.”

He expressed the hope that the donation would enhance and strengthen the “safety measures being put in place within Delta State especially along the Benin-Asaba Expressway.”

The safety initiative by the Chevron subsidiaries targets people in all relevant professions, especially those involved in transportation business and other categories of the public including children safety campaigns, he noted, saying the gesture also includes contribution in the areas of healthcare, education and various forms of economic empowerment schemes in many parts of Nigeria.

According Ewing, “Safety is a core value among the Co-venturers and this road satiety programme bein deployed today ISIS part of the robust safety programmes sponsored by the Agbami Co-venturers. Nigeria is one of the three African countries participating in the ‘Arrive Alive’ programme of pioneered by Chevron.

“Through the partnership, we have deployed regular training programmes for drivers, probidedhelmets for motorcycle riders and organized enlightenment programmes for truck drivers and members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers. We have also organized child road safety campaigns n some states of the federation with a view to help the children imbibe road safety culture early in life.

“In the area of health, the Agbami Co-venturers have been committed to supporting the development of the health sector in Nigeria. We have built and equipped 25 chest clinics with the state-of-the -art equipment I. Different states of the federation; funded HIV/AIDS campaigns, Roll back Malaria and Mass Deworming programmes; built and donated a fully equipped Diagonistic Laboratory and fully equipped Maoher and Childcare Centre”

In his welcome address at the unveiling of Delta State Capital Territory Road Safety Initiative, the Director-General of the DSCTDA, Chief Clement Ofuani, said that the donation would aid efforts by his agency to enforce safety measures particularly on the Benin-Asaba Expressway where many lives had been lost to accidents in the past.

Ofuani also formally handed over the power bikes to the Sector Cmmander, Delta State Command of the FRSC, Mr Rindom Kumven, who expressed happiness and commended the Agbami Co-venturers for the gesture, saying it would greatly enhance the activities of the command especially in monitoring of safe traffic flow on the Benin-Asaba Expressway.