NLNG And Its Robust CSR Programme
By Kazeem Akintunde
The Nigerian Liquified Natural Gas Limited, NLNG, has a rich history of community engagement as well as a robust Corporate Social Responsibility, CSR, programme. Indeed, in the month of June this year, the company brought together 25 media practitioners in Lagos and armed them with digital skills that could change their stories.
The annual capacity-building workshop focuses on mobile and multimedia journalism. Those are the skills that are relevant for 21st-century journalism. The event which was organized in collaboration with the Journalism Clinic was expertly handled by one of the best in the industry- Dan Mason.
Today’s media world has evolved. We are in the age of digital technology. News has been redefined and anybody can be a content creator. Those in the field should be ready to upgrade their skills or they become irrelevant in the scheme of things.
Those were the skills that NLNG provided for media practitioners during the three-day workshop. It was so interesting that participants did not want the sessions to end. During the closing ceremony, the General Manager of External Relations and Sustainable Development at NLNG, Mr Andy Odeh, stated that the initiative was born out of a vision conceived in 2015, which is aimed at equipping journalists with the necessary tools and skills to navigate the ever-changing landscape of digital communication and social media. He emphasised NLNG’s recognition of the significance of embracing new technologies and platforms to effectively convey stories that resonate with the Nigerian populace in today’s fast-paced digital age. “The driving force behind this workshop lies in our firm belief that our stakeholders are not just partners in our current success; they are an integral part of our journey towards greater heights.
“At Nigeria LNG, we understand that our growth and success are intricately linked to the growth and success of those around us. We aim to create a symbiotic relationship where both parties thrive together,” Mr Odeh said. He assured of NLNG’s commitment to capacity building, and the Company’s profound belief in the immense potential of its stakeholders.
The first #NLNGChangeYourStory workshop was held in 2015, after which there was a hiatus. The annual workshop resumed in 2021 and since then, over 70 journalists have been trained, reinforcing their digital communication and social media competencies.
The #NLNGChangeYourStory workshop has contributed to empowering journalists, equipping them with the skills needed to thrive in the evolving digital era. NLNG’s dedication to capacity building remains steadfast, reinforcing its commitment to the growth and success of its stakeholders and the nation.
Aside from its capacity-building programme for journalists, the NLNG has a Youth Empowerment Scheme (YES) that was launched as far back as 2004 as a sustainable development initiative aimed at youths (18-35 years old) within NLNG’s host communities. YES is designed to make the participating youths economically and socially responsible and self-reliant through guided technical and managerial development training.
Since its inception, over 1000 youths from various host communities have participated in the scheme and have been trained in vocational modules like catering and hotel management, hairdressing and cosmetology, fashion, and design, photography and video production, woodwork and furniture making, and welding and fabrication.
The focus of the Scheme is now on ensuring the financial independence or self-sustenance of the youths after training. In 2019, its sustainable implementation of the programme and its consistent approach to reducing poverty led to the company winning ‘The Best Company in Poverty Alleviation’ category of the SERAS 2019 Africa Corporate Social Responsibility award.
Aside from that, the company recognises Nigeria’s cultural attachment to land and the obvious fact that no legislation, no matter how well intended, can capture all the expectations of the people. It is in this regard that it adopted a systematic approach in its pipeline communities which seeks to promote a sense of ownership or identification. This was done through the award of Gas Transmission System (GTS) Right of Way (ROW) surveillance and maintenance contracts. Holders of GTS ROW surveillance and maintenance contracts, which rotate among the land-owning families only, employ family members to execute jobs that cover pipeline Right of Way surveillance and inspection and asset maintenance including painting of signposts and markers and grass cutting among others. To encourage the contractors, awards are given to recognise outstanding ROW contractors. Awards are also given to the Best HSE Compliant Contractor and for timely submission of reports, among others.
As part of its CSR, the company annually provides support materials and palliatives to fishermen from the various fishing communities across Bonny kingdom to encourage them to fish in a sustainable manner.
These support items are usually presented at an annual Interactive forum/session. They are provided to encourage the fisherfolk carry out their fishing activities away from our exclusion zone/vessel access path. The sessions are also used to educate the fisherfolks on safe and acceptable fishing habits, as prescribed in the ESHMP.
It is instructive to note that the support provided and the engagements held with the Bonny fisherfolks have over the years created a healthy and mutually beneficial relationship that has ensured adherence to the instructions regarding the exclusion zone thereby granting unfettered access for vessel operations.
The implications to company operations are that our vessels are able to achieve a faster berthing turnaround time and by extension a more efficient cargo loading lead time.
The company has been involved in projects that aim to build vocational capacity in Nigeria and it has implemented several corporate social responsibility initiatives in Nigeria some of these include Health care which has seen the company constructing ultramodern health centres, providing hospital equipment, and installing transformers in some communities.
Through its economic empowerment module, it has Agro-Enterprise Development Action that was designed to enhance the revenue-earning potential of rural entrepreneurs through the provision of value
Through its community engagement, NLNG has made innovative positive socio-economic and health contributions to its host communities.
And due to its robust and all-encompassing nature, it has been studied as a vehicle for community development in the Bonny Kingdom, Niger Delta, and Nigeria as a whole.
Its engagement with the media through the yearly ChangeYour Story initiatives would go a long way in building the capacity of journalists, and preparing them for the task ahead.
