Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR); the Hard ... - TOTAL Nigeria

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR); the Hard-edged Business DecisionEGI IPP at OBITE, supplying uninterrupted powerto 19 communities in OML 58 since 2005By Rhoda Udumukwu“To build and sustain brands people loveand trust, one must focus—not only ontoday but also on tomorrow. It’s noteasy…but balancing the short and long termis key to delivering sustainable, profitablegrowth—growth that is good for ourshareholders but also good for ourconsumers, our employees, our businesspartners, the communities where we live.and work, and the planet we inhabit” – IreneB. RosenfeldIn the world today, many organizations haverealized the importance of being corporatelysocially responsible and Total E&P Nigeriais one of such organizations that discoveredlong ago that creating a strong business and building a better world are not conflicting objectives but bothvital ingredients for long-term success.Since inception in 1962, TEPNG has made remarkable impact on its stake holding communities and thecountry at large. There has been a commendable evolution of corporate social responsibility(CSR)initiatives and execution methodologies; from archaic methods of appeasing community leaders to the“new thinking”; a scientifically proven “power to the people” approach, yielding obvious and sustainableresults within the company’s host communities.CSR is about how companies manage the business processes to produce an overall positive impact onsociety. Total E&P Nigeria has effectively managed the core business of exploration and production,minimizing the environmental hazards associated with the business by ensuring that all productionfacilities are certified to the ISO14001 Environmental Management System while improving the lives ofthe host communities.“…Controlling and minimizing the impact of our activities on the environment and the people around ourfacilities are entrenched commitments and guide all our processes from projects conception to actualproduction”, said Guy Maurice, Managing Director/ Chief Executive.With this commitment by the management, it was not surprising that the company received the muchcoveted 2012 CSR Award at the Nigeria Oil& Gas Conference, 2013. This in itself underscores how highTEPNG’s CSR initiatives/programmes are rated in the oil and gas industry.TEPNG’s current approach to CSR is based on the “three concentric circle model”. The first layer ofthe circle takes care of the host communities, improving their lives using proven strategies. With formalpartnership agreements deployed as one of the strategies, the human; social and infrastructural capitalhave been developed over the years with active collaboration of members of the communities.The company has also utilized numerous skill development programmes in Egi, Amah, Olo, Akwa Ibometc… as a viable CSR strategy. In the same vein, infrastructural projects have strategically been utilizedto improve the lives of host communities and neighbours e.g. power generating plants, water supply,health services, roads, jetties etc…The second concentric circle relates to the company’s statutory contribution to the Niger DeltaDevelopment Commission (NDDC), for sustainable development of communities in the Niger Delta.TEPNG contributes 3% of its operating fund annually.

In the outer region of the circle are social initiatives National Merit Scholarship Awards and legacyprojects that impact the larger society. Worthy of mention is the establishment of the Institute ofPetroleum Studies (IPS), which has produced professionals thereby addressing the acute manpowerneeds in the oil and gas industry; helping the nation at large. Also, the, donation of emergency roomequipment at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH), and ongoing projects at theLagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) and the Federal Neuro-psychiatric Hospital, Yaba, Lagos arenotable CSR projects aimed at improving the quality of healthcare in Nigeria.Similarly, Total is actively participating in the Nigeria Gas Master plan and is also involved in other gasutilization projects that support the country’s aspirations for adequate electricity supply to all Nigerians.Total E&P Nigeria has over the years, enjoyed a very cordial relationship with host communities,neighbours and stakeholders thanks to the company’s CSR delivery model. The relative peace in theoperating environment, has translated to steady increase in production, as there has been no restivenessfrom the host communities in the recent past“If you can shift your thinking away from merely selling and into building trust instead, even if it costs youa few bucks in profit, you’ll begin to see opportunities you never imagined once you understand what itmeans to surpass that customer’s expectation by giving them more than they expected!” – Chris Zane,Business Owner & Author.Total E&P Nigeria understands that going beyond business and into building trust is the way to go forbusinesses to remain relevant and stay competitive; and it is yielding dividends for the company. Theyalso understand that in the near future, the most successful companies with great competitive advantagewill be those that integrate sustainability into their core business.