Seplat Tackles Mortality Rate, Teaches Benefits Of Child Spacing
Sapele, Nigeria: September 27, 2016: In its quest to tackle the high maternal mortality rate in the country and increase the health of pregnant women and new mothers, the Nigerian Petroleum Development Company (NPDC) and Seplat Petroleum Development Company Plc, have relaunched a health initiative, SEPLAT Safe Motherhood Programme.
The health corporate social investment programme is currently running in all the communities in Delta and Edo States where SEPLAT operates.
Speaking at this year’s flag off of the programme yesterday, the General Manager External Affairs & Communications of SEPLAT, Dr. Chioma Nwachuku, said the objective of the SEPLAT Safe Motherhood initiative is to promote safe delivery for pregnant women and young mothers in the communities where the company operates, adding that every woman deserves a safe birth experience.
She explained that the programme is in alignment with the Nigerian independent operator’s values of safety (safety of life and property) and partnership with its host communities.
The SEPLAT Safe Motherhood was first introduced by the company in 2011 and since inception has gained wide popularity due to its outstanding success rate.
Also, speaking during the opening, Dr. David Odiko, director in the Edo State ministry of Health representing the State Commissioner of Health noted that the Edo State government recognizes and appreciates SEPLAT because the company is in the forefront of the effort to bring succor to a large pool of pregnant women in communities in the State. “From what we are seeing today, we are also confident that this programme will help educate and equip our young mothers with very relevant information on modern safe pregnancy and delivery practices therefore, ensure a higher mother/ baby survival rate’.
The health initiative which has Child Spacing as the theme for this year will teach women the health benefits of child spacing for the well-being of mother, child and the entire family
During the event, the company in collaboration with Medical Women Association of Nigeria Delta State and the Planned Parenthood Federation educated expectant and young mothers about pregnancy, danger signs, delivery and care of the child and the benefits of child spacing which include higher survival rate of children, healthier children and mothers, better bonding of infant and mother, parents ability to care for their children and a better and more fulfilling quality of life.
Additionally, SEPLAT provided pregnant women at the programme safe motherhood kits and encouraged them to adopt safe birth practices, visit the clinics periodically and seek the opinion of medical personnel when necessary as well as provided them with insecticide treated nets for the prevention of Malaria while also distributing vitamin and mineral supplements.
Ngozi Aziken represented the Delta State Commissioner for Oil and Gas while his counterpart in Edo State was represented by Prince Uhumuamure. Other dignitaries present include Dr. M.I. Oseji, Permanent Secretary in the Delta State ministry of Health, President of the Medical Women Association of Nigeria Delta State chapter, Dr. B. Agbonle and the Chairman Okpe LGA Prince G. E. Ejinyere
In her remarks to close the event, Mrs. Oghogho Osazuwa of the Nigeria Petroleum Development Company (NPDC) said the SEPLAT JV is a pacesetter with her CSR programmes and urged the beneficiaries of the programme to take the lessons learnt to heart for their good and the benefit of their families.
Seplat Petroleum Development Company Plc is a leading indigenous Nigerian oil and gas exploration and production company with a strategic focus on Nigeria, listed on the Main Market of the London Stock Exchange ("LSE") (LSE:SEPL) and Nigerian Stock Exchange ("NSE") (NSE:SEPLAT).
In July 2010, Seplat acquired a 45 percent participating interest in, and was appointed operator of, a portfolio of three onshore producing oil and gas leases in the Niger Delta (OMLs 4, 38 and 41), which includes the producing Oben, Ovhor, Sapele, Okporhuru, Amukpe and Orogho fields. Since acquisition, Seplat has more than tripled production from these OMLs.
In June 2013, Newton Energy Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, entered into an agreement with Pillar Oil Limited to acquire a 40 percent participating interest in the Umuseti/Igbuku marginal field area within OPL 283. In February 2015, Seplat completed the acquisition of a 40 percent working interest in OML 53 and a 22.5 percent working interest in OML 55, Onshore Nigeria.
Seplat is pursuing a Nigeria focused growth strategy and is well positioned to participate in future divestment programmes by the international oil companies, farm-in opportunities and future licensing rounds.
For further information please refer to the company website, http://seplatpetroleum.com/