Oriental Energy Resources Limited, an indigenous oil exploration and production company in Nigeria, has donated a science laboratory complex to Community Grammar School, Ebughu in Mbo Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom.
The Corporate Communications Manager of the company, Sam Umukoro, said the building was a demonstration of the oil company’s commitment to education and human capital development in the state.
The Managing Director of the company, Ignatius Ifelayo said the donation of the school complex was evidence of the company’s long-term dedication to human capital development in the state.
“It is now very clear that most jobs of the future will require a basic understanding of mathematics and science.
“At the same time, recent developments around the world point to the fact that scientific and technological innovations are becoming increasingly important in the 21st century.
“Therefore, in preparing our children for the future, we need to provide them with a conducive learning environment, where they can lay a good foundation, especially through the study of biology, chemistry, and physics.
“This is the main reason why we embarked on the science laboratory project at Community Grammar School, Ebughu, Mbo Local Government Area, Akwa Ibom State.
“It is our hope that the judicious use of the laboratory complex for teaching and learning will lead to better academic outcomes for students registered for examinations in the core science subjects of biology, chemistry and physics,” Ifelayo said.
The complex consists of Biology, Chemistry and Physics laboratories, including teachers’ offices, toilet facilities and fittings, gas cylinders, and fire extinguishers.
Other facilities include laboratory furniture, including stools for students, teachers’ desks and chairs, white boards, shelves and storage facilities for reagents and chemicals, WAEC-standard equipment together with different types of reagents/chemicals for practicals.
Ifelayo said the electricity supply within the laboratory building complex would be made possible by a solar-powered system and inverter, which also pumps water from the borehole to the overhead tanks and solar water heating system.
The Akwa Ibom State Commissioner for Education, Idongesit Etiebet, commended the company for embarking on the science laboratory project.
“Oriental Energy Resources partnering with the state government to promote education should be a challenge to other multinational companies, NGOs and individuals to join hands and build up the sector,” she said.
The Akwa Ibom State Commissioner for Power and Petroleum Development, John Etim lauded the company “for being a good corporate citizen by keeping to its Corporate Social responsibility (CSR) in providing people-oriented projects in the State”.
“Oriental Energy has shown adequate goodwill to the people of its host communities in Mbo and Akwa Ibom State at large “, he added.
The Chairman, Mbo Local Government Area, Asuquo Eyo said that Oriental Energy was the only company that has done so much for the people of Mbo.
The completion and handover of the complex follows a recent conclusion and payment of Oriental Energy 2020/2021 University Scholarship awards to 250 students from Akwa Ibom State, with 57 percent of the awardees from various communities in Mbo
Earlier in August 2020, OERL completed, commissioned and handed over the Youths Empowerment Centre located at Enwang, Mbo Local Government Area to Mbo Empowerment Foundation.
The Centre is a multi-purpose printing and reprographics facility with significant potential to generate substantial income. The overall goal of the project was to empower youths in Mbo communities with a self-sustaining business venture, knowledge and skills to participate in social development through a viable income generation activity.
