INTELS: EXCITING HOST COMMUNITIES THROUGH CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILTY

The Intels Logistics Group may have  thrown up a monumental challenge to the entire terminal managers in
Onne Port area of River State, as  the first model private Port has continued to synthesise its determination to grow its host communities with intimidating Corporate Social Responsibility gestures.

Rather than the damning cats and mouse relationships which had been a common character of most of the  multinational companies and their host communities in the Niger Delta region of the country, the story is different in Onne, as the indigenes and residents of the Port community have had their lips occupied with songs of praises and avalanche of testimonies.
Aside from a graduate trainee scheme which guarantees  an annual employment of 50 graduates exclusively for the host communities, coupled with arrangement for additional employment opportunities for the physically challenged graduates; the Intels Logistics Group has ensured that 10,104 (69.5 percent) out of its entire 14,574 workforce actually came from the Niger Delta area.

Providing a breakdown of the company's Corporate Social  extravaganza, a community member who gave his name as Chief Fidelis Clark  indicated that Rivers State tops the list of the beneficiaries of the Intels' unprecedented largess  with 6,290 representing 43.2%; while  Akwa  Ibom Delta States came second and third with 1,439 and 1,219, representing 9.9 per cent and 8.4 per centage respectively.  Edo  and Cross River States' beneficiaries came fourth and fift with 480 and 358 beneficiaries, representing  3.3 per cent and 2.5 per cent respectively. The breakdown further indicated that while Bayelsa State had 318 beneficiaries, representing  2.2%,  other states of the federation accounted for only 4,470 employments representing 30.5 per cent in the company.

Describing the magnanimity of the Intels to its host communities as what the River Nile was to Egypt,  Clark highlighted that the company’s policy of pursuing projects which fuel employment and empowerment had drawn the people to its support, thereby ensuring that the Intels which resumed operations in Onne in 1988 with 350 employees, had never suffered a single-day labour disruption, despite the volatility of the entire area.

Pressed for comment, the General Manager, Intels, Mr. Mike Epelle not only confirmed it but also insisted that whatever was heard from Clark was merely a tip of the iceberg; noting that the company had expended well over N161.8 million on providing scholarship for community students, between 2001 and 2013.

Describing its empowerment program as a “process of assistance which qualitatively improves the statuses of  individuals, groups or community”, the General Manager of the conglomerate said, "In addition to academic empowerment, the company has regularly provided professional trainings which cover pipe fitting, argon welding, structural and pipe welding; training in industrial electrical, entrepreneurial and STCW 95/ Marine Training, to mud engineering, computer engineering catering craft, hairdressing and cosmetology, Microsoft office and sun java; auto training; crane and forklift training,  warehouse and material management courses.

He highlighted that the company actually constructed a 10km road in Onne; undertook the Onne solar light, the Ogui netwok of internal road; a network of internal roads at Rumuokwurusi; a network of roads at Ogbunabali; a neighbourhood water project at Amadi-Ama; the Onne ultra modern market; an ultra modern market at Olobulo; an ICT Centre at Rumuokwurusi; another ICT centre at Ikot Ansa; six classroom block at Old Netim; six classroom block at Old Netim; School renovation at Rumukwurusi and another 10 classroom block renovation at Rumukwurusi.

The company also renovated a GSS school at Onne; assisted in the restoration of some school building at Onne; renovated the Community school at Amadi-Ama; renovation and equipping of Eleme craft Centre; construction of the Ogu Palace/ civic centre; the construction of the Ogbe-Ijoh Palace/ Civic Centre; the Town Hall at Rumuoluwhere; the perimeter fencing of the Ekurede Itsekiri Town Hall; and the Ikot-Ansa Town Hall restoration.

In addition, the Intels also developed a Youth Secretariat at Ogu, restored the Orugbo Jetty, constructed a Health Centre at Ekpan; restored the Civic Centre at Eleme; provided  a standard electricity transformer at Rumuokwurusi; another 100KVA generator at Ikot-Ansa; a Women Empowerment Project scheme at company site in Onne; and a free Medical Outreach.

The Intels is also noted for regular sponsorship for the celebration of Olu of Warri; and the celebration of Chief Osaronu, at Onne, et cetera amongst others.

The Integrated Logistics Services which started with 350 employees in 1988 with a paltry 1,224m jetty on a 70 Ha; today is a colossus, occupying a 5,415m jetty spanning the Onne Port Complex; consisting of the Federal Lighter Terminal, the Federal Ocean Terminal and the Onne Estate.
Intels Logistics Services will always be remembered for being a model terminal which success story as a pioneer private port in the country, stimulated the privatization of Nigerian Ports for greater development, efficiency and optimal utilization of the potentials in the port industry. It has also set a standard by providing corporate social responsibility bonanza for others to follow.