Total Upstream is engaged in bringing the basic necessities of modern life - energy water supply, roads and electricity - to people throughout the country, as well as important community infrastructure, such as modern markets, civic centres. The Egi independent power project, which ensures steady electricity supply to the Egi communities in Rivers State, is one of our most ambitious endeavours.

The Niger Delta area, where most of the oil industry operations in the country take place, is characterised by a difficult terrain which hampers effective infrastructural development. Our long-term objective is therefore aimed at supporting programmes that ameliorate the situation.So far, we have been meeting this objective through the provision of electricity, water supply, roads, jetties, bridges, culverts and other accessories that facilitate transportation, communication and commercialisation.

Electricity

The Egi electrification programme is perhaps the most ambitious and comprehensive community development project undertaken by the joint venture EPNL / NNPC. The objective is an effective and uninterrupted supply of electricity to all communities within the Egi kingdom, through the construction of a modern, independent power generation station as well as a High Tension (HT) and a Low Tension (LT) network. This network will supply power to over 20 towns and villages in ONELGA, Rivers State. The total cost of the programme is estimated at over N800 million.

Phase one of the project includes revamping, expansion and activation of the electric network in Ibewa and Ede communities and the construction of a new electricity network in Obukegi, Obigbor, Ohali-Elu, Egita, Akabta, Obiozimini and Itu-Ogba communities and connecting them to the national grid. Before now, these communities were not covered by the national electricity grid. Phase two involves disconnection of existing national grid of the National Electricity Power Authority (NEPA) power supply from the various substations in Egi and re-routing the NEPA lines directly to the Egi turbo generation distribution substation, reconstruction and expansion of the existing electricity network to connect all Egi communities. Phase three involves the construction, installation and commissioning of the independent power generation station. The station will use gas produced from the Obagi field to generate electricity.

				Benefits of the Egi Electricity project are significant: Power outage eradicated throughout the Egi kingdom. Quality of life improved in the rural communities and Small industries encouraged to grow as a result of constant power supply.

The construction stage of the projects provided economic empowerment of local contractors as the contracts were reserved exclusively for Egi indigenous contractors. Currently Total Upstream pays the electricity bills of the Egi communities. In 2002 it also provided electricity for four communities in Ahoada East local government area of Rivers State.

In addition, the company is in the process of implementing a 400MW IPP project for the government to be sited in OML58 and to come on-stream early 2007

Water supply

The Joint venture EPNL/ NNPC also provides potable pipe-borne water for its communities. The water schemes, which are to WHO standards, are centrally located at Akabuka, Akabta, Amah, Erema, Ibewa/Obukegi, Obagi, Obite and Obiyebe. New water schemes are also in the pipeline for Oboburu and Ogbogu communities. To ensure steady water supply, all the water schemes are operated and maintained through local contractors.

Roads

The programme for modern roads development is aims to open communities to further development and economic empowerment. Under phase 1, completed in 2001, 20 km of asphalted 6m-wide road has been constructed to link all communities in Egi from Erema through Obukegi, Akabta, Obiozimini and Obite. Speed bumps were also installed to check over-speeding. In 2001/2002, the second phase of road construction was carried out: 25 km linking Akabuka to Obagi via Oboburu, Idu-Obosi-Ukwu, Idu-Osobile. Phase three, begun in February 2003, involves roughly about 25km of construction and rehabilitation of the internal roads of Obagi, Ogbogu, Erema, Obiyebe and Itu-Ogba communities totalling. All the roads are asphalted. This road network is valued at more than $2.4m (about N308m).

Total Upstream is also currently carrying out a world-class road signs project starting from our area of operations and gradually spreading to the rest of the country as a legacy project. This project is aimed at helping travellers find their ways around the country thus increasing mobility and thus tourism, and especially road safety and security.

Markets

Determined to make a dramatic change in the level of economic activities in the communities, our company has constructed a number of modern markets to boost trade and commerce. The markets are located at Akabuka, Ogbogu, Oboburu Obagi and Omoku in ONELGA and Elele-Alimini in Emuoha Local Government Area. The markets also provide avenues for cultural exchanges and harmony among communities.

Civic centres

Another area where the NNPC/EPNL joint venture is making a positive impact in the lives of the people is in the provision of civic centres and community halls. The magnificent buildings erected for community use have provision for library, postal agency, guest rooms, beauty salons and large halls for social gatherings, town meetings, educational meetings, and other purposes for public good.

				S/N MILESTONES DATE 1   Over 15,000 Scholarships for Nigerian Students   From Inception of Scheme 2   Training of over 1,200 youths in various skills for self reliance   2000-2005 3   The Egi Power Plant providing Permanent Electricity to Egi Community in Rivers State (~80,000 people)   2005 4   Provision of Vsat and Internet facilities to the Rivers State University of Science & Technology, Port Harcourt   2005 5   Award of Certificate of Excellence to Total Upstream in Nigeria by Eastern Obolo Students Association for Total's contribution to Educational development in their area   2004 6   Provision of Portable Drinking Water to our host communities   From Inception of Scheme 7   Building and equipping of Erema Hosiptal in Rivers State   2004 8   Seed Multiplication Center to reach over 5,000 Farmers   From Inception of Scheme 9   Sponsoring the estabishment of the Institutie of Petroleum Studies   Started in 2003, ongoing 10   Provision of educational materials to over 90 Educational Institutions in the Niger Delta   Ongoing 11   Provision of Mobile Telecommunication Facilities in our host communities   2004/2005 12   Micro-Credit Scheme   2004/2005 13   Provision of E-Libray and Electricity Generating Set to the Rivers State Polytechnic, Bori   2005