By SUNNY OKIM

Five major indigenous oil and gas firms have come together to support the Delta State government in its fight against the novel coronavirus pandemic.

The support valued at N37.5m, according to the donor companies, is part of their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).

The oil companies include the cluster of companies producing OML 56 namely, Midwestern Oil and Gas Company Limited, Pillar Oil Limited, Platform Petroleum Limited, Energia Limited and Chorus Energy Limited.

The donors, led by the Head Community Affairs Midwestern Oil and Gas Company Limited, Mr. WIlliams Eboh, presented items which include a Nissan Pick-up NP300 vehicle and food stuff,

According to Eboh, the package was part of the firms’ commitment to help the host state to achieve disease control.

"The first thing is to provide mobility for medical personnel, the second is to provide food items to encourage the citizenry to observe the stay-at-home order which they could flout in their search for food," said Eboh.

Speaking further he said, "The food items 50kg bags of rice (270), cartons of noodles (270), cartons of sachet tin tomatoes (180), cartons of Honeywell (2,000) combo family pack, 100kg bags of beans (113) and cartons of groundnut oil (135)."

Aside from the food items, the oil firms also provided the state government with a Nissan Pickup.

On its own part, Midwestern Oil and Gas Limited provided surgical gloves (2,500 pairs) and protective masks (1,250 pieces).

The donations were received by representatives of Dr. Obidi, Chairman of Delta State Health Management Board and Delta State Commissioner Bureau of Special Duties Honorable Mofe Pirah, who represented Governor Ifeamyi Okowa at the Central Hospital Asaba and Ibusa.

Other cluster members present were ably represented by the Manager, Community Affairs & Government Relationship Pillar Oil, Chief Humphrey Oseji, Christopher Ogala of Chorus Energy, Emmanuel Ebie of Energia Limited and the Base Office Manager, Platform/Newcross, Mr. Godwin Alumona.