By Nefishetu Yakubu
In the past 13 years, no fewer than 110,634 patients have regained their sight through surgeries sponsored by the Seplat Energy/NEPL Joint Venture, reports the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).
NAN further reports that within the period under review, the company successfully completed 4,752 cataract surgeries across host communities in Edo under its “Eye Can See” programme.
According to Seplat Energy’s Director of External Affairs & Social Performance, Chioma Afe, patients also received about 55,382 reading glasses, achieving significant milestones in community healthcare and vision restoration across multiple communities.
Afe, represented by Esther Icha, emphasised that the initiative, now in its 13th year, continued delivering free, life-changing eye care services to the company’s host community members.
Speaking at the three-day programme, which concluded on Friday at the Oba Palace in Benin, she assured host communities of the company’s continued commitment to delivering free, life-changing eye care services to them.
She outlined the services provided to include eye consultations, reading glasses, cataract surgeries, and education on glaucoma, hypertension, and diabetes, benefiting thousands within the JV’s host communities.
Afe noted that the programme’s sustainability was anchored on the strong cooperation and shared commitment of all Seplat Energy Joint Venture partners over the years.
She confirmed that the services were free, adding that doctors were also available to attend to non-ocular health issues like hypertension and diabetes.
Edo Commissioner for Health, Dr Cyril Oshiomhole, represented by Dr Edward Aisowieren, commended Seplat JV’s tangible contributions and noted the initiative’s life-changing impact on the state’s health sector.
He stated that most causes of permanent blindness were treatable, praising the programme for tackling avoidable blindness effectively within rural communities.
He expressed gratitude, saying all those operated on could now see clearly, describing the outcome as a major success for the organisers’ initiatives.
He also acknowledged the long-term efforts, stating that hundreds had previously benefited from Seplat Energy’s ongoing free eye care outreach across multiple communities.
Chief Raphael Oronsaye, speaking for the Oba of Benin, applauded the Seplat JV and encouraged citizens to support and utilise meaningful corporate social responsibility projects.
The NEPL team, led by Owunari Tomikeimieye, praised community participation.
He emphasised the need for them to be partners in the preservation of oil and gas assets to ensure continuous support for such initiatives.
Tomikeimieye encouraged parents to involve youth in protecting energy infrastructure, ensuring sustainable benefits through health and development programmes like Eye Can See.
Dennis Laure, who spoke on behalf of the beneficiaries, thanked Seplat JV for resolving long-standing eye issues that affected their daily lives, incomes, and overall quality of life. (NAN)
