There has been excitement at the Comprehensive High School, Edemaya, Ikot Abasi Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, where the Sterling Oil Exploration and Energy Production Company Limited, SEEPCO, has started the renovation of their decaying classroom blocks.
It will be the second of such schools to be renovated by the company. Since 2022, Sterling Oll has reached more than 37,515 people across three states, using the Model School Initiative which has reached more than 4,755 beneficiaries across Akwa Ibom, Delta and Lagos States.
The company undertook the project as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility, CSR, in partnership with the state government, through its development partners, the Vcare for Development Foundation, VCDF, in line with its Model Schools Initiative, MSI.
The renovation work will cover three classroom blocks of 11 classrooms, three offices (Principal, Staff), three toilets, a library and an assembly hall, with connecting walkways, an entrance gate and a security room.
During a tour of the project site, an excited Mr. Edo H. Ekpene, Director of Projects at the Akwa Ibom State Ministry of Education, expressed appreciation to the oil firm for the gesture, even as he said his ministry would monitor progress of work.
“We appreciate Sterling Oil for supporting VCDF to deliver this important intervention. The quality of work on site is commendable, and the ministry of education will continue to monitor progress to ensure standards are maintained,” he said.
Like Oliver Twist, the director asked the company to “extend similar projects to more communities across Akwa Ibom State so that more students can benefit from improved learning environments.”
On her part, principal of the school, Mrs. Regina Aniekan Jack, said it was a thing of joy that the company chose to give her school a facelift, saying “we are grateful to Sterling Oil and VCDF for choosing our school. The work being carried out meets our specifications and will greatly improve the learning environment for our students and staff.”
Many schools in Akwa Ibom are in a sorry state. In some of the school, pupils and students are made to learn sitting on bare floor, while the buildings have become dilapidated.
Sterling Oil targets the renovation of nine schools in the country. Already, two have been completed and delivered in Lagos (Obele Community Junior and Senior High Schools respectively) and one in Akwa Ibom (Iko Community Secondary School, Iko Town).
The completed schools were handed over in the presence of the commissioners of Education in Lagos and Akwa Ibom States. The renovation of six more schools in Akwa Ibom, Delta, and Lagos States is underway.
