Youth Empowerment Scheme (YES)
NLNG Youth Empowerment Scheme (YES) was launched in 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 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.
Focus of the Scheme is now on ensuring financial independence or self-sustenance of the youths after training. In 2019, our sustainable implementation of this programme and its consistent approach at reducing poverty led to our winning ‘The Best Company in Poverty Alleviation’ category of SERAS 2019 Africa Corporate Social Responsibility award.
The 2019 set of 89 persons successfully completed their training with a graduation ceremony that was held on Tuesday November 5, 2019.
Nigeria LNG Agro-Enterprise Development Action (NAGENDA)
The Nigeria LNG Agro-Enterprise Development Action was designed to enhance the revenue earning potential of rural entrepreneurs through the provision of value added agricultural and non-agricultural services like capacity building in farm management techniques, exposure to improved varieties and crops, eld trips and linkage to farming institutes. Support packs in the form of enhanced seedlings or stems, herbicides, and fertilizer products are periodically distributed to participating farmers.
Since inception, emphasis has shifted to commercial farming plus linking farmers to viable markets for their products. Development agencies like International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), Market Development in Niger Delta (MADE), Amo Farms, Rivers State Sustainable Development Agency (RSSDA) and Partnership in Niger Delta Development (PIND), among others, as well as facilitators like International Institute for Tropical Agriculture (IITA) and Nigeria Agricultural Insurance Corporation (NAIC) work as partners and coordinators to help the farmers effectively transition to commercial farming.
Following the shift in emphasis, commercial and contract farming in cassava, piggery, poultry among others kicked off in 2016 in Ekpeye, Kalabari, Ogba, Okrika, Amadi-Ama and Ogbunabali, Abua, Emohua and Bonny kingdom. Focus on these areas of farming continues in 2020.
Support to Fisherfolk Community
As part of our CSR, 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 which has ensured adherence to the instructions regarding the exclusion zone thereby granting unfettered access for vessel operations.
The implications to company operations is that our vessels are able to achieve a faster berthing turnaround time and by extension a more efficient cargo loading lead time.
Right of Way Maintenance Contract
NLNG recognises the Nigerian’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 which 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.
