ABONNEMA, NIGER DELTA – AUGUST 26, 2025 – The air in Abonnema was electric with anticipation as community leaders, dignitaries, and citizens gathered in the historic town square for a momentous occasion—the commissioning of the newly remodeled Owukori (Manuel) Barboy Memorial Hall, a transformative project sponsored and funded by Westpaq Engineering Nigeria Limited under its Petroleum Producing Host Community Empowerment and Development Initiatives.

At the heart of the ceremony stood His Majesty, the Amayanabo of Abonnema, resplendent in his traditional regalia, flanked by his council of chiefs, elders, and jubilant townspeople. Together with executives of Westpaq, they cut the ribbon to a facility that will now serve as the nerve centre for communal dialogue, cultural events, and social development programs for generations to come.

More Than Infrastructure: A Commitment to People and Progress
For Westpaq, the remodeled Memorial Hall is not just bricks and mortar—it is a bold statement of corporate responsibility and a pledge to the empowerment of petroleum-producing host communities across the Niger Delta.

Speaking at the event, Westpaq’s CEO, Mr. Samuel Diminas, reaffirmed the company’s unwavering commitment to Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), highlighting that development must go beyond extraction to touch lives, uplift communities, and leave a legacy of shared prosperity.

“At Westpaq, we believe that the true measure of development lies in its impact on people. This hall stands as a testament to what’s possible when companies listen to communities, align with their aspirations, and invest sustainably in their future.”

A Partnership with the People
What makes the Owukori (Manuel) Barboy Memorial Hall particularly significant is that it was nominated by the community itself as part of Westpaq’s participatory CSR model. This approach ensures that development initiatives align with the actual needs and aspirations of host communities, rather than being imposed from the outside.

From classrooms to community centers, from healthcare access to skills acquisition programs, Westpaq’s CSR footprint now stretches across multiple sectors, touching lives in ways that transcend the company’s core business operations.

The Bigger Picture: Westpaq’s CSR Vision
Across the Niger Delta, Westpaq has steadily built a reputation as more than an EPC & I and project management company—it has become a partner in progress. By investing in infrastructure, education, healthcare, and economic empowerment, the company is reshaping the social landscape of communities often left behind in the oil era’s boom-and-bust cycles.

This Memorial Hall, with its modern architecture and multipurpose functionality, will host youth training programs, women empowerment initiatives, cultural festivals, and community decision-making forums, ensuring it remains a living, breathing hub of progress. “This hall is a symbol of partnership—with the Abonnema people, with local leadership and with the future. It embodies our vision for a Niger Delta where oil wealth translates into human capital, education, cultural pride, and opportunity,” said the CEO.

Global Standards, Local Impact
As dignitaries toured the remodeled facility, the symbolism was unmistakable: this was development done right—community-led, culturally respectful, and future-focused.

For Westpaq, it was also a chance to showcase how global ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) principles can be localized to meet the unique realities of the Niger Delta.

“We are proud to be part of this story,” Westpaq’s CEO noted. “This is what sustainability looks like—when corporate investment meets community ownership, when progress honors heritage, and when development is measured in human terms.”

A Legacy for Generations
As the sun dipped below the horizon, the people of Abonnema danced, sang, and celebrated—not just a new building, but a renewed sense of possibility

The remodeled Owukori (Manuel) Barboy Memorial Hall now stands as a testament to what happens when corporations and communities work hand in hand toward a common goal: a future where development is inclusive, impactful, and enduring.

With this project, Westpaq has once again proven that it is not only transforming the energy sector but also rewriting the social contract between oil companies and host communities—one project, one partnership, one people at a time.