Michael Odiegwu, Port Harcourt
An oil-servicing firm, Eroton Exploration and Production Company, has supported the efforts by the Rivers State Government to curb the ongoing spread of the Coronavirus pandemic in the state.
Eroton’s Operations Manager, Mr. Emmanuel Thompson, led other officials of the firm to donate 6000 face masks, a brand new bus and oxygen concentrators to the state government on Wednesday.
Presenting the multi-million Naira items to Governor Nyesom Wike in Port Harcourt, Thompson said the gesture was part of the firm’s efforts to assist the government in fighting the pandemic.
He said the firm earlier provided food palliatives, surgical masks and other items to its host communities and the independent petroleum producers, adding that its latest intervention was the culmination of the company’s palliatives on COVID-19.
He said the company had no doubts that the state government would put the items to good use and ensure that the items were deployed to help victims of the disease and stop the spread of the pandemic.
He said despite operating in the oil sector, the company had not recorded any case of infections adding that Eroton was following all measures outlined by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the state government to stop the spread of the disease.
Thompson said, “This is just one of the things we have done in supporting the government. We started with our host communities where we gave surgical masks and later we went to the Independent Petroleum Producers group and we also supported them with items. Then the last time we went to the communities where we gave out food palliatives.
“We know the government will use the items so that the people, who actually need them benefit from them. We have not really had any case in our organisation. We are also working with the government and other agencies to make sure we do what is required of us.”
Receiving the items, Wike, who was represented by the Secretary to State Government, Dr. Tammy Dagogo, commended the firm for identifying with the government and the downtrodden.
He said the government would officially publish Eroton, other firms and individuals that supported its fight against the virus.
He said, “Let me most heartily thank Eroton for your support to the people of Rivers State at this critical time in the lives of our people. This is one period we know those, who stand with us and those who do not stand with us. It is said that it is the time of crisis, the times of need that you know your friends.
“The governor will be adequately informed and once this whole pandemic gives us some breathing space, we will identify and appreciate every corporate citizen that has identified with the people of Rivers State at this time and certainly Eroton will be part of those that the state government will be thanking.”