- Safiu Kehinde
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited has in partnership with Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company (SNEPCo) conducted over 40 free eye surgeries while over 700 residents received different medical treatment as both companies kicked-off their fourth edition of the Vision First health initiative in Lagos state.
This was disclosed in a statement issued on Thursday by Shell.
According to the statement, the initiative which began on Monday in Mushin Local Council Development Area of Lagos State have seen several residents receive eye and cardiovascular screenings, surgeries, and general health education.
The five-day outreach, organised in collaboration with Kolmarg Eyesight Foundation, was formally declared open on Tuesday at a ceremony attended by officials from NNPC, SNEPCo, Lagos State Government, Mushin local council and leaders of communities.
In his statement, SNEPCo’s Managing Director, Ronald Adams, described this year’s edition as special as it is supported by the Bonga North Project.
“This year’s outreach is particularly special, as it is supported by the Bonga North Project as part of its social investment commitments,” Ronald said.
The SNEPCo boss who was represented by Head, Corporate Relations, Abubakar Ahmed, added that the investment yield of the Bonga North Project enabled its sponsorship of the health initiative.
“Following the Final Investment Decision on Bonga North earlier this year, we are beginning to see the benefits materialize — starting with initiatives like this — that deliver direct and lasting value to communities.” he added.
On his part, the Chief Upstream Investment Officer of the National Upstream Investment Management Services (NUIMS), Oluwaseyi Omotowa, represented by Head, Business Services, Nkechi Anaedobe, maintained that the initiative is part of its commitment to improving the health and well-being of communities where it operate.
“This initiative embodies our commitment to improving the health and well-being of communities where operate. The Vision First programme is a testament to our partnership’s dedication to providing accessible and comprehensive healthcare services to our people.” she said.
The Director, Kolmarg Eyesight Foundation, Dr Olukorede Adenuga, and Chairman, Mushin Local Council Development Area, Emmanuel Bamigboye, said they were happy to collaborate with NNPC/Shell and co-venture partners, Nigerian Agip Exploration Limited, TotalEnergies Nigeria and Esso Exploration and Production Nigeria (Deepwater) Ltd, in efforts to bring comprehensive healthcare to the doorsteps of the people.
According to the statement, the Vision First programme, since its inception in 2022, has reached more than 4,000 individuals, distributed nearly 2,000 eye glasses while nearly 200 people have undergone vision-restoring procedures, from cataract removals to other corrective surgeries.
Provision of healthcare is reportedly just one aspect of the social investments of NNPC/SNEPCo and co-venture partners which have improved lives in internally displaced camps in Northeast Nigeria, rebuilt hospital wards and educational institutions in addition to secondary, undergraduate, and postgraduate scholarship awards and donation of cancer treatment equipment.