Ngokanya Benjamin, the Chairman of Okerewa Community Trust during the official kick off and inauguration stated, “We wish to categorically state that the desire of the people of Okerewa Community and Okerewa Trustees to launch a cooperative set-up is apt and necessary in this time and age to enhance financial inclusion to our people, neighbors, etc. as well as create jobs and business around. It is on the premise that we are officially inaugurating and opening the cooperative office here today with the state of art facilities and 21st Century setup”
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Read Full Address Below:
AN ADDRESS PRESENTED BY THE CHAIRMAN OF OKEREWA COMMUNITY TRUST,
NGOKANYA BENJAMIN ON THE OCCASION OF THE OFFICIAL KICK OFF AND
INAUGURATION OF THE OKEREWA COMMUNITY CO-OPERATIVE AT THE
CHURCH OF THE HOLY SPIRIT ANGLICAN OKEREWA, ALETO PARISH NCHIAELEME ON THE 4TH OF FEBRUARY, 2023.
PROTOCOLS!
INTRODUCTION:
Okerewa community being one of the host communities and shareholders in Indorama Eleme
Petrochemicals Limited with a 21% stake of the 7.5% Indorama Equity Shares. As shareholder that
have been receiving dividends for over six months now from Indorama EPL, it is only pertinent that we plunge these funds into well meaning ventures and projects which are directly impactful to the good people of Okerewa Community in particular and neighboring communities at large.
However, in considering this in our First Annual General Meeting in June 2022, we agreed that our
dividends shall be distributed in the order of 40% for Project, 40% for Sharing / Distribution and 20%
for Human Capital Development, Savings and Re-investments. Hence, the concentration of our event
today is purely centered on how the 20% of the declared dividend is and shall be utilized.
It is important we state without mincing words that this cooperative association:
1.) Every Indigene of Okerewa Community is a member of the Cooperative and is entitled to every
portfolio and interest thereto.
2.) Those running the cooperative shall be paid monthly salary as managers and employees of the
association and not owner of the cooperative.
3.) The Okerewa cooperative is the sole investment and business arm of the Trust since the Trust
have no such power to do business.
4.) Managing and maintaining all assets and incomes of Okerewa community including the 20% of every declared dividend to Okerewa people from Indorama EPL from now henceforth.
OUR GOALS
We wish to categorically state that the desire of the people of Okerewa Community and Okerewa
Trustees to launch a cooperative set-up is apt and necessary in this time and age to enhance financial inclusion to our people, neighbors, etc. as well as create jobs and business around. It is on the premise that we are officially inaugurating and opening the cooperative office here today with the state of art facilities and 21st Century setup
Therefore, the key areas we intend to kick start our first phase operation are:
1. Soft loan to market women and men for SME’s (Small and Medium Enterprises Scheme) at
agreeable interest rate based on performance and tenure
2. Soft loans to Okerewa indigenes for emergencies and disposable incomes at 6%.
3. Sponsorship of contracts jobs on direct and 3rd party arrangements with terms and conditions
applied.
4. P.O.S arrangements (both withdrawal and payment)
5. Rentals (Chairs, Tables, Canopies etc.)
6. Reducing unemployment rate significantly in our community
7. Empowering our people to become job makers and not job seekers (a platform to
assist them bring to live their entrepreneurial potentials) etc.
8. Business management, mentoring and monitoring (M3)
Key areas for our second phase operation are:
1. ICT Programs
2. Agro allied business and sponsorship
3. Acceptance of funds from clients for investment purposes
4. Receiving of funds from willing members of the community for savings and profit making
5. Online outfit and structures.
CONCLUSION
“As the saying goes, a journey of a thousand miles begins with a step”, today begins the journey
of financial expansion, inclusion and explosion in Okerewa Community as we believe that this
memorable program and project shall cascade into a global setup in the years ahead through the
help of God Almighty through Jesus Christ the Righteous.
Finally, here lies great opportunities before us today, to help us develop ourselves and minds to
become richer and better or otherwise. With your support and guidance, we shall meet our demands
and make the years ahead better and the best in the annals of our history and the future we
anticipate.
OBARI AKASE NYIME ETA OKEREWA….!!!
