The discovery of oil in the Niger Delta has brought a mixed grill of fortune and misfortune. The irony in the natural resource in Nigeria is that it is more beneficial to “outsiders” than the hosts.

It is the realisation that the huge revenue derived from oil  and gas exploration has been used to improve and grow the Human Development Index (HDI) of other lands other than the  owners of the revenue-spinning resource, that militancy and agitation grew in the Niger Delta.

The fad then was for oil multinationals to undertake expansive oil and gas exploration activities and simply abandon the communities from which the resources have been extracted.

Over time, the flora and fauna of those communities began to suffer adverse environmental degradation. And that grossly affected the day-to-day living standard of the people.

That was when some oil multinationals began to consider a measly attention to the welfare of the host communities, many of which had become hollow like sucked and discarded oranges.

Today, such measly attention is what is described as Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). While some oil and gas companies merely engage in “just any project” to fulfill all righteousness, some others really connect strongly with the host communities by understudying their need profile before embarking on projects that will be ultimately and maximally beneficial to them.

Midwestern Oil and Gas is one of the companies in the latter category.
After commencing business in 2001 and upstream operations in 2005, Midwestern Oil and Gas  started off well by ensuring that the drawbacks of old oil companies were avoided. The company thus seemed to have developed a template of  amity with its host community.

With a running plant in Umusadege, Delta State, Midwestern Oil and Gas  synergized with the community in such a way that both parties have, as it were, become partners, one complementing the needs and operations of the other.
The company’s ease of operation  is not by accident.

It is guided by regulations like the Nigerian Content Act, which seeks to correct many oil firms which short change their host communities. Speaking on its community relations, the Managing Director, Adams Okoene, explained the mission and plans of the company.

“In Midwestern Oil and Gas, our vision is to become a model indigenous oil and gas producer in terms of profitability and community coexistence, and a mission to leveraging on best assets in our people, facilities and through unflagging innovation for the continuous benefit of all our stakeholders,” he said.

Meanwhile,the Federal Ministry of Environment has written to commend Midwestern Oil and Gas for being environmental friendly.

And even beyond the Nigerian shores, awards have been coming the way of the company by stakeholders for compliance with standards as approved by the   MPR and DPR as shown in the evacuation of hydrocarbon products as well as having   competent and dedicated workforce.

The awards include the Africa Oil & Gas HSE of the Year Award; Global Green Award; and the International Star Award for Quality from the Geneva-based Business Initiative Directives.

Also, the company was shortlisted for the Global Green Award and the International Star Award for Quality.
According to industry watchers, the company is set to be on top of Africa’s leading annual oil & gas awards,the African Oil & Gas Awards.

Last November, the company attained a milestone when it celebrated six million man-hours loss time injury (LTI)-free operation.

Speaking during the celebration of the milestone achievement in Lagos   the Managing Director, Okoene, said the achievements were a reflection of the significant progress the company had made in health, safety and environmental policies.

Okoene said the achievements also reflected the controls the company applied to all the projects and services it executed.“

Also commenting on the  awards coming the way of the company, the HSE Manager of Midwestern Oil and Gas, Anthony Okoye, noted that the HSE Award in South Africa was the  result of all the company had done on its health, safety and environment objectives.

Speaking on the Global Green Award,the Financial Controller of Midwestern, Blessing Ayemhere, who spoke on behalf of Okoene, said, without applying for the award, presented in Berlin, Germany, the company was shortlisted from among about 180 representative companies across the world, based on its excellent performance in HSE.

In so short a time, the company is not only making waves within the oil industry, it is impacting on lives and welfare of its host community.

The company has been awarded 70 per cent interest in Umusadege field located in OML 56, situated at the northern area of Delta State, which it operates in a strategic alliance with Suntrust Oil Company Nigeria Limited and Mart Energy Services Limited.