Total raises CSR obligations

Written by Duncan Monday, 10 May 2010

TOTAL Nigeria Plc, a major player in the downstream sector of the Nigerian oil and gas industry, has reiterated its commitment to contributing to the welfare of the people of its host communities, as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).

In view of this, the company recently participated in the World Malaria Day to launch an intensive health care initiative across the country, where it educated the beneficiaries on how best to prevent and get adequate treatment for malaria disease.

The programme was simultaneously held in Lagos, Abuja and Port Harcourt, where health talks was given to 3000 children from different schools in the locations.

Speaking at the event in Lagos, the Managing Director of Total, Mr. Dominique Thiolon, said the project was initiated to assure the stakeholders that “Total is not just an economic partner to the nation and its people, but also actively involved in and concerned about their health and wellbeing.”

Thiolon said, "Malaria is a mosquito-borne, climate sensitive disease caused by the parasite plasmodium. It causes fever, chills and other flu like symptoms and is responsible for over one million deaths worldwide each year, most of whom are children in Sub Saharan Africa. Bearing all this in mind, the World Health Organisation instituted April 25, 2010 as the World Health Day for recognising the global effort to provide control of malaria.

“Total, in accordance with the Group's directive, and as part of its corporate social responsibility is joining the global community to create awareness of this deadly disease and ultimately reduce the spread of malaria in Nigeria," he said.