The Management of Okomu Oil Palm Plc has disclosed that over N20million was paid to whistle blowers in 2020 as part of measures to save the company from losses.
The company’s Managing Director, Dr Graham Hefer, made the disclosure at an interactive session held on Thursday at the company’s premises in Edo State.
Host communities, the media and other critical stakeholders were present at the session, held at the company’s headquarters, Okomu, near Udo, Ovia South West Local Government Area(LGA) of the state.
Hefer said the whistle blowing policy had been in place for over 11 years.
According to him, the policy is designed to prevent theft of the company’s produce such as oil palm fruits and rubber.
It is also aimed at tackling illicit operations within and outside the company.
He explained that the policy had been very rewarding for the company and commended the Federal Government for adopting the same policy to checkmate corruption in government offices.
Hefer thanked members of the host communities for their support that had sustained the existing mutual understanding.
He explained that the gesture was responsible for the achievements in host communities through the company’s social corporate responsibility platform.
According to him, part of the community’s responsibility is to protect the company to enable it continue to provide necessary assistance to the host communities.
Stakeholders at the meeting were unanimous on the need for transparent communication mechanism.
Earlier, a community relations expert, Mr Kingsley Erinwinghae, delivered a paper entitled “Trust/Dialogue Issues for Company Relationship”.
He said both management of the company and leadership of host communities must learn to develop internal trust.
“The community can derive benefit from its closeness to the company’s premises.
” Such benefits can include employment for themselves and their children, if they are qualified and skilled for the job they desire, contracts within their capability, supplies, and buying the goods of the company,” he said.
No less than 100 participants attended the meeting. They were from about 23 host communities spread across three LGAs of Uhunmwode, Ovia South-West and Ovia North-Eastnan..
