Total Donates Solar Solution to Handicap Centre in Imo, Restates Commitment to CSR in Host Communities

By Amby Uneze in Owerri

Total upstream  Nigeria Ltd has made donation of solar solutions to a handicap centre in Imo State, even as the company restated its commitment to contributing to the promotion of good environmental practices through the deployment of renewal energy in the country.

The Managing Director/Executive of Total Upstream Nigeria Ltd, Mr.Nicolas Terraz, stated this at the inauguration of the solar solution donated to the Don Guanella centre for mentally and physically challenged children, managed and operated by the Congregation of Servants of Charity, Nnebukwu, in Oguta Local Government Area of Imo State.

As a responsible energy major, Mr.Terraz said that the NNPC (TUPN) and her partners SAPETRO, CNOOC and PETROBRAS are contributing immeasurably to the realisation of the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) numbers three and seven which according to him lays strong emphasis on good health and well-being as well as provision of cleaner, affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy.

He said :“In Total, we are committed to a better energy and one of our cardinal Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) objectives is to promote environmental responsibility including access to clean and renewable energy, support the reduction of emissions, combat climate change and protect natural resources and biodiversity”.

Mr.Terraz disclosed that each of five buildings in the centre is provided with solar power and run independently, adding that with the completion of the project, the institution would now depend less on diesel generators for its electrical needs, thereby reducing environmental pollution as well as operational cost which would leave more funds available to meet the other needs of the residents.

Group General Manager, NAPIMS, Roland Ewubare, who spoke through the Manager (Public Affairs Dept), Alhaji Jia’ Afaru Aliyu, stated that the Don Gaunella centre is the first beneficiary of the project with the completion and donation of the 45,582kw/H of electricity through the use of solar PV panels, inverters and batteries.

He added that the solar solution project would promote the use of solar energy in the provision of electricity to power household and teaching equipment.

Rev. Fr. Jude Anamelechi, Superior of the centre, in his address earlier disclosed that the centre which belongs to the Congregation of the Servants of Charity,a Catholic religious congregation founded by Saint Luigi Gaunella, an Italian Priest is a non-profit organisation which caters for, educates and rehabilitates person with special needs.

According to him, the institution is also a formation centre for young men aspiring to the catholic priesthood, stressing that the installation of the multi-million Naira solar energy has provided a big relief to the centre in the area of power supply, improved the lives of the inmates of the centre reduced the cost of powering the centre and eliminated pollution caused by the use of diesel.

Governor Rochas Okorocha who inaugurated the facility through the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Gender Affairs and Social Development, Mrs. Alma Eluwa, reiterated the determination of the state government to improve the welfare of the less privileged in society.

He commended the donor agencies for their acts of charity and magnanimity which he said is in line with the spirit of his free education program meant to give the less privileged a sense of belonging in society.

The governor who denounced the continued abuse of the rights of children in some African countries commended priests at the centre for their sustained personal sacrifices to uplift the living standard of the poor and the needy in society and enjoined them to sustain the spirit for the betterment of mankind.