Renaissance Africa Energy Company Limited has inaugurated six community-based projects aimed at supporting communities impacted by the June 11, 2023, oil spill in Aleto, Eleme Local Government Area.
The completed projects include a 12-classroom block at Community Secondary School, Agbonchia; a 200-seat town hall for Akpajo; ICT facilities and renovations at Community Secondary School, Aleto; de-silting of a 4km drain in Aleto; and the upgrade and installation of 1,010 and 300 prepaid energy meters in Aleto and Okerewa, respectively.
During the handover ceremony at Community Secondary School, Agbonchia, Mr. Igo Weli, Vice-President of Relations and Sustainable Development for Renaissance Africa Energy, highlighted the collaborative effort between the company and the Eleme developmental organization. “Following the incident of June 11th, we signed the memorandum of understanding on August 6th, 2024, and agreed to implement these six community development projects together,” Weli stated. He emphasized the importance of focusing on projects that “meet the needs of the people and communities, projects that add value.”
Traditional rulers and local government officials expressed gratitude for the company’s initiative. HRM Philip Obele, the Traditional Ruler of Aleto and Eleme, noted that the projects have strengthened relations between Renaissance and the affected communities, commending the shift from “dialogue over violence.” He also appealed to Renaissance for assistance in securing an alternative water source, as the community’s freshwater supply was contaminated by the spill.
Dr. Aforji Igwe Obey, Member of the Rivers State House of Assembly representing Eleme, praised the dialogue that led to a resolution and these visible outcomes. The Chairman of Eleme Local Government, Chief Obarilomate Ollor, commended the projects and urged the company to extend its support beyond conflict resolution, requesting assistance with vehicles for security patrols.
Representatives from the Ministry of Education also thanked Renaissance for investing in education and urged the benefiting communities to protect the newly built infrastructure, with assurances of collaboration to sustain the projects.
