Okomu Oil Palm Company Plc has announced its collaboration with the Foundation for Partnership Initiatives in the Niger Delta to foster peace and economic development in its host communities.
A statement from the firm stated that the collaboration was formalised through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding in a symbolic event attended by senior management teams from both organisations.
“The MoU aims to enhance social harmony and sustainable development across OOPC’s 29 host communities, which span Ovia South-West, Ovia North-East, and Uhunmwonde local government areas in Edo State,” the statement said.
According to the statement, it focuses on peacebuilding, conflict prevention, community stabilisation, and socio-economic empowerment programs to ensure mutually beneficial outcomes for both OOPC and the communities.
Speaking at the event, the Managing Director of OOPC, Graham Hefer, highlighted the company’s decade-long commitment to improving its neighboring communities through its corporate social responsibility initiatives.
He explained, “The partnership with PIND would further strengthen the company’s efforts in fostering peace and driving development.
“The reputation of PIND as a credible NGO motivated us to engage in this collaboration.
Their expertise in conflict resolution and community-based programs will help us achieve sustainable social impact for the communities and the company.”
On his part, the Programme Director of PIND, Dr Effiong Essien, expressed the organisation’s readiness to leverage its extensive experience in the Niger Delta region to support OOPC’s initiatives.
He emphasised that the partnership would mitigate conflicts and boost economic opportunities through inclusive, community-driven projects.
“Beyond conflict reduction, PIND also specializes in poverty alleviation, alternative energy solutions, and empowering smallholder farmers. This MoU elevates Okomu’s contributions to its host communities to new heights,” Essien noted.
He added that the partnership is set to prioritize programs such as community needs assessments, smallholder oil palm projects, clean energy solutions for remote areas, and access to funding opportunities.
“These initiatives aim to create systemic and sustainable progress while reducing poverty and unemployment,” the statement noted.
“With this agreement, Okomu and PIND reaffirm their shared commitment to fostering peace, stability, and economic growth in the Niger Delta, setting a precedent for impactful corporate-community collaborations’” it stated.
