The West Africa Container Terminal-APM Terminals Nigeria has started a 713m flood drainage project in its host community, Onne Community, Eleme Local Government Area, Rivers State.
In a statement on Wednesday, the terminal operator explained that the project addresses two of the four core areas of the company’s CSR interventions, namely, “health & environment, and infrastructure development.”
According to the statement, the drainage system, once completed, will address long-standing issues of flooding, water stagnation, and sanitation concerns in the community.
“This project also underscores the company’s dedication to being a responsible and supportive partner to its host communities by investing in essential infrastructure that directly improves the lives of the residents in the community,” the statement read in part.
The Managing Director, WACT-APM Terminals Nigeria, Jeethu Jose, expressed enthusiasm for the project and its positive impact on the community.
He further cited examples of past projects in the community, which are all geared towards the continuous improvement of the community.
“As of today, we have carried out the following: scholarship and internship opportunities for students; 50 students from Onne are currently on university scholarship, and we are scaling up by offering 30 more students this year, with the award coming up later this month.
“Provision of 10 KVA solar power system for the model primary health care centre, training of over 300 students and women in Onne in the production of eco-friendly reusable diapers and sanitary pads. And we are here to carry out the groundbreaking ceremony of Phase 1 of the 713-meter flood drain to tackle the persistent flooding of the Olumba Road during the rainy season,” said Jose.
Jose further reiterated the company’s commitment to continuously improving lives for the community, and that includes the inauguration of the plastic recycling plant in a few months, which will not only keep the environment clean but also help generate revenue for the community.
Also speaking during the ceremony, the WACT-APM Terminals Nigeria Community Relations Manager, Justin Okwuofu, recounted the renewed journey of WACT-APM Terminals Nigeria and the Onne Community.
“We went to the community and carried out what we call full participatory rural appraisal, to determine the needs of the people. In development, we call it a transect walk. In WACT-APM Terminals Nigeria, we call it Gemba, whereby we walk around the community to identify their needs.
“It took us about one week to finish the activity, and it was on that journey that this project was identified by the community as a need, and today, we are here to do the groundbreaking.
“Once again, I thank you for all the cooperation you have given me during my work here, and I hope that in the next couple of years that we’ll still be here, we’ll work together and have more projects for the community,” Okwuofu said.
