Members of communities playing host to multinational organisations have been urged to leverage the presence of these companies for the advancement of their lives and that of their localities.
This was the thrust of the lecture at the bi-annual community training for communities neighbouring Okomu Oil Palm Company PLC, according to a statement on Tuesday.
The statement noted that the annual training attracted representatives from over 18 communities in Ovia South-West, Ovia North-East, and Uhunmwonde Local Government Areas of Edo State.
Speaking on the topic, Leveraging the Presence of Multinational Companies in an Environment, the guest lecturer, Mr Kingsley Ehinmwinhoghia, had noted that communities playing host to multinationals are supposed to avail themselves of the opportunities provided by these firms to uplift their economic status.
Ehinmwinhogia stated that these companies, aside from employing members of these communities, also serve as a source of business opportunities for willing men and women.
He added that while the communities expect much from the company, they must realise that they have a crucial role to play by mobilising supports for the growth of the company within the community, creating an environment that is crisis-free as well as acting as ambassadors of the company.
Welcoming the participants to the training, the Human Resource Manager, Mr Ikponwonsa Osunbor, said the management of the company, knowing the benefits members of its host communities can derive from the company, organised the training to help residents explore these avenues.
Osunbor revealed that as an agriculture company, members of the communities must realise that the majority of the opportunities are on the farm rather than in the office.
During a tour of the regenerated forest sites in the oil palm company, the company’s Senior Health Safety and Environment Officer, Efe John-Onyijen, told participants that the company in 2020 planted 6,137 new endemic trees in an area of 5.93 hectares within the company’s concessions.
He said the firm is currently mapping more areas for further regeneration, urging people to avoid entering the company’s forest area for logging.
