…Udu monarch commends NBTC’s 69-year contribution to kingdom
The Chairman of Niger Benue Transport Company, NBTC Limited, Olorogun Moses Oghenerume Taiga, JP, CON, has urged Urhobo business leaders and other Nigerians to invest in their homeland, saying the region is endowed with huge economic opportunities capable of accelerating development.
Taiga made the call yesterday when the Ovie of Udu Kingdom, His Royal Majesty, Engr. Mike Orugbo, Okporua I, paid a historic visit to the 69-year-old NBTC facility on NBTC Road, Ovwian, Udu Local Government Area of Delta State.
The visit was the first by a reigning monarch to the company, reputed to be Nigeria’s oldest marine company.
The Udu monarch, who commended NBTC for its longstanding contributions to the kingdom and its host communities, described the company as one of the best corporate citizens in Nigeria.
He called for continued cooperation between the company, the traditional institution and its host communities.
Speaking during the visit, Taiga, who is the major owner and core investor in NBTC, urged Urhobo entrepreneurs to emulate his investment in the company and take advantage of opportunities in the region.
He said his personal investment in NBTC dated back to 1996, adding that he had remained committed to the survival of the company despite the difficult times it had experienced.
“I am committed to the continued existence of the company, which is 69 years old,” he said.
According to him, NBTC began operations by transporting cotton from Cameroon for export before diversifying into services for the oil industry and other marine-related activities.
He said the company also ventured into the manufacture of badges and tugboats as well as boat building through its subsidiaries.
“It is a good company, and as an Urhobo man I am committed to it. Even in rough times, when we were not making money, I cannot abandon it,” Taiga stated.
On government support, the NBTC chairman said the company had remained essentially a private investment and had not depended on government to operate.
“It is a private investment, so we don’t anticipate anything from the Government. So, we’ve never bothered to worry the government for anything, but we are open to ideas,” he said.
Taiga, however, said the company was ready to partner with government whenever its expertise was required.
“If the Federal or State Government want us to participate in any activity, we are the oldest marine company in Nigeria; we are open,” he said.
He identified the difficult terrain of the Niger Delta as one of the major challenges confronting NBTC’s operations, particularly the navigation of shallow waterways.
“For example, we are far away from Lagos, traversing around the shallow rivers that we have, crossing through Koko to Escravos and the rest of it. Those are the challenges, but we try to overcome them,” he said.
Taiga said the company had also remained resilient despite the COVID-19 pandemic and the departure of several major oil companies from the region.
“Despite the COVID saga, despite the departure of most of the major oil companies, come rain, come shine, we continued to support the company, and employed Urhobo sons and daughters,” he said.
He added that NBTC had maintained cordial relations with its host communities through various interventions, including construction of a hall, participation in community festivals and support for elders and residents.
“We have been good neighbours to our hosts, our landlords, building hall, participating in their festivals and sustaining the elders and citizens of the Udu and larger Udu Community,” he said.
On his part, the Ovie of Udu Kingdom, HRM Engr. Mike Orugbo, Okporua I, commended NBTC for its commitment to corporate social responsibility and the development of the Udu Kingdom.
The monarch said the company had consistently responded to the needs and aspirations of the kingdom throughout its years of operation.
“For all the years they’ve been in operation, there is nothing they’ve not done to meet the yearnings and aspirations of the kingdom in the area of corporate social responsibility. I rate them very high,” he said.
Orugbo also urged Urhobo sons and daughters to emulate Taiga by investing in their homeland.
He specifically praised Taiga for returning from Lagos to invest in Urhobo land, saying greater investment by Urhobo people would strengthen the economic position of the region.
“I will advise other sons and daughters of the Urhobo Nation to emulate Olorogun Moses Taiga, the Adjerese of Urhobo, who has seen it fit to come home from Lagos to invest in Urhobo. And if they copy him, definitely Urhobo will be ahead in the country,” the monarch said.
He noted that Urhobo land was endowed with oil, gas and other economic resources that could drive development if properly harnessed.
The monarch and his delegation were received by members of the NBTC board, management and staff, while the Erhuvwu Royal Cultural Dance, Ovwiana, a female cultural troupe, added colour to the historic visit.
Among NBTC officials present were Olorogun Dr Moses Oghenerume Taiga Managing Director, Engr. Dhanasekaran Govindan; Chief Godwin Notoma, Director; Chief Steve Sokoh, Director; Olorogun (Prince) Ejiro Arigi, General Manager, Administration and Finance; Engr. Mrs Queen Uche Chigbo, Business Development Manager; Mr Anetor Newton, Chief Accountant; Mr Emoefe Edjere, General Service Manager; Mr Oghenemaro Ashakah, Treasury Manager; Mr Lucky Oromowano, QHSE Manager; and Mrs Fidelia Erokaire, Admin Officer.
The Udu monarch was accompanied by Chief Eddie Ono-Sorhue, Chief Henry Sakpra, Chief Austin Emaduku and High Chief D.S. Oye Onatomre, the Adeh of Udu Kingdom.
Ovwian community was represented by its President-General, Comrade Dele Okuku; spokesman, Deacon Tony Nigu; Secretary of the Elder Council, Mr Williams Oghi; and Chairman of the Ovwian Elders Council, Chief Diamond Egbeta.
