The US oil giant Chevron is launching initiatives aimed at improving health and supporting development in Liberia. The projects were announced Monday by a visiting delegation of top corporate officials, including Chief Executive Officer John Watson.

By Boakai Fofana, allAfrica.com

As part of an oil exploration agreement signed in August 2010, Chevron is committed to social responsibility efforts in several sectors. While exploratory drilling is taking place in deep, off-shore waters, with any resulting production still years away, the company's economic development programs provide an immediate, visible indicator of its presence here.

Also on Monday, the spouses of Chevron managers presented ultrasound machines and financial support to two major medical referral hospitals, John F. Kennedy and Redemption. Mrs Diane Watson, the Chevron's CEO’s wife, and doctors at the John F. Kennedy Hospital in Monrovia cut the ribbon to the newly furbished under-five ward.

"We are proud to help bring health care to mothers and children who need it most, so that every child born here can have a chance to live a long and full life," said Watson. During a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the newly refurbished under-five ward, which the company funded at JFK Hospital, Watson said she was glad to help give the country's children "a greater chance of life." Her remarks evoked cheers from doctors and nurses who had gathered ahead of a tour of the infant facility.

Maternal mortality rate
The two Mindray DC-3 color ultrasound machines are intended to reduce deaths of women in childbirth. "Our maternal mortality rate now stands at 994 in 100,000 live births," among the highest in Africa, Liberia’s Deputy Health Minister Moses Pewu said. Combined with the Health Ministry's training of midwives, the machines should contribute to lower pregnancy-related deaths, Pewu said. "We will need all the help we can get from anyone who wants to help us achieve this goal."

The exodus of doctors during the many years of war and poor infrastructure in post-conflict Liberia has led to interventions aimed at reviving the battered health sector. In March, Chevron provided a 150-kilo-volt power generator to Redemption Hospital to keep the lights on in its operating rooms.

Big impact
"We are also committed to a five-year initiative in Liberia to build stronger communities by investing in education, health and economic development," John Watson told the Liberian Cabinet. He said in addition to work with JFK and Redemption, Chevron has funded the Gari Mari Mental Hospital, the Booker Washington Institute, the YMCA, small businesses and community markets for women. The company says that its Chevron-Liberia Economic Development Initiative is aligned with the themes of the government's Poverty Reduction Strategy.

At the cabinet session with the Chevron delegation, President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf thanked company executives. "Even though your operations are just getting started, your social development work has already made a big impact," she told them. Sirleaf said the company's engagement in health, education and enterprise development "will touch [the lives of] our people at the grass-roots level."

She also urged the company to respect Liberia's Public Financial Management Law, which is aimed at curbing corruption. "We know the laws of your country are very strong in that regard," she said. We ourselves have made strong laws, and we hope that you will work with us to ensure the fullest of integrity in everything that you do."