SOCIAL INTEGRATION

Community Relations

The company, guided by its Host Community Policy, continues with several community development projects as a practical demonstration of the spirit of partnership with and goodwill towards the people in the host communities.

Such projects include the Presco Scholarship Scheme under which ten students from host communities at Cowan, Obaretin and Ologbo each receive NGN50,000 as a scholarship grant. Also water pumps and boreholes are actively maintained in 11 villages. Other projects are assistance to primary and secondary schools, maintenance of roads, provision of electricity in host communities and the offer of employment to indigenes of host communities.

In 2000 the electrification of Agbomoba village in Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area of Edo State was completed with assistance from Presco. It is planned to continue with electrification projects for host community villages. A project, to be co-financed by the Edo State Government, will link villages around Obaretin Estate to the grid.

Annually Presco provides several university and polytechnic students with industrial training and research placements as well as giving opportunities under the National Youth Service Corps programme.

Agbomoba School Project

Presco has designed and built a model primary school for the children of Agbomoba and neighbouring villages in Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area. The NGN 40 million project was carried out by Presco with co-financing from the Edo State Government. The school consists three blocks of of six fully furnished and electrified classrooms, headmaster's office, teachers’ office, store, library, borehole, toilets and showers.

Outgrowers' Scheme

In order to spread its economic impact in the region Presco has started an outgrowers’ scheme, which is co-financed by the Edo State Government. With this scheme local farmers are encouraged to set up their own plantation. Presco provides the necessary seedlings and input to ensure a productive plantation. When the plantation starts producing Presco purchases the fruits. To the end of 2007 118 farmers are involved with 213 hectares planted.

It 2007 Presco commenced an outgrowers' scheme near its Cowan Estate in Delta State. So far, 24 farmers are involved with 50 hectares planted.

Employee Involvement and Staff Training

Presco maintains regular communication and consultation with the branch union leaders to brief employees on matters affecting them. On-the-job training facilities are provided for all categories of employees with a view to improving their performance, job satisfaction and prospects. External training programs are also undertaken as appropriate.

In recognition of the company's Human Resource Development programs and outstanding contributions thereto, Presco won the Industrial Training Fund's 2000 Award as the best training organisation in Edo and Delta States.