The Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) says it has concluded plans to provide two Barges and 300 life jacks to Idah community in Kogi.
A barge is small boat that conveys people from one riverine area to the other.
The Managing Director of AEDC, Mr Ernest Mupwaya announced when he paid a courtesy visit on the Senator representing Kogi-East Senatorial district Sen. Atai Aidoko in Abuja on Friday.
He said the planned gesture was to support the movement of people, traders and goods in riverside communities in the state.
Mupwaya said that that the reason for the corporate social responsibility programme was to cement a long time relationship between the organisation and members of the public.
“It is from a good long and time relationship that the business of a company can be sustained, if you have a healthy relationship; it results into customers’ willingness to pay eventually, this helps the company to sustain its business,’’ he said.
Mupwaya also said he visited the Senator to intimate him of AEDC’s intention to extend its Corporate Social Responsibility to Kogi.
“We have picked project in Kogi which will help alleviate some of the challenges of the people.
“There is an area in Kogi where there is a crossing between Idah and Agenebode market in Edo, where members of the public have to cross using boats and other means.
“As our contribution, we have agreed with the leaders of the community that AEDC will procure two Barges in addition to procure 300 life jackets within two to three weeks and deliver to the community.
“We believe that this gesture will help alleviate some of the constraints facing the people in that area,.
‘’I think we are all aware some of the risks in crossing a big river such as the Niger, especially in this raining season, particularly when there is waves on the rivers.
He said it was ideal for any company conducting business within a community to add value to members of the host community.
“Of course, we believe we are adding value through the provision of electricity which impacts on several aspects of our lives.
“But beyond that, there may be other areas where an organisation can extend help to resolve one or two constraints facing members of the public.
He said that AEDC had been involved in carrying out various social responsibility programmes in its catchment areas.
‘’Although the power sector is yet to fully recover, there is confidence that the various plans to increase power is showing positive development.
“Within a certain period, Nigerians will see a more improved power sector“.
Responding, Aidoko who thanked AEDC for its intention to provide the barges for Idah community, expressed optimism that the items would help to save life in the area.
He further said it was a rare for a company to extent gesture to embark on such responsibility at this period in Nigeria.
“In Nigeria, a lot of business does not take the issue of corporate social responsibility very seriously.
“But for AEDC to take the initiative to pay attention to the remote needs of people, where they do business, is commendable.“
“I commend you for taking this bold initiative.
“There will be a lot of positive impact on our people and to your business as well.
“We have the reach to make people pay their bills, when they find out that the organisation is responsive to their needs.
He said it was important for other Electricity Distribution Companies (DisCos) and Generating Companies (GenCos) in Nigeria to emulate AEDC’s gesture
Aidoko said that he was glad that AEDC had begun to address the issue of erratic electricity supply in some areas in the state.
Contributing, Mr Emmanuel Egwu, (PDP, Idah, Ibaji, Igalamela, Ofu), House of Representatives, also commended AEDC for remembering Idah communities in its corporate social responsibility programme.
He also expressed the hope that the gesture would ease the movement of people and goods to markets within the communities and ultimately improved the economy.
“What you have done will add value to the economy, because there is a large production of yams and rice in Ibagi.”
Ibaji is a riverine community in Ibaji Local Government Area, neighbouring Idah Local Government Area of Kogi
“The problem they have is that of logistics to transport their farm produce to the urban areas, some times the rickety boats capsize when conveying the produce.
“But the barges and safety life jacks that you are about to provide will add value to the life of the people and the economy.’’
Credit: PM News
