The dream to have a socially responsible company that will benefit the people of Nsawam and its environs birthed Oforigas Ltd two decades ago.
After a comprehensive feasibility study, operating a gas filling plant was settled on by Mr. Henry Ofori mainly because the closest filling plant was in Suhum and Pokuase, hence, getting gas refilled was a daunting task for most people within Nsawam and its environs. Furthermore, the most motivating factor was to give a new wave of lifestyle to people to deviate from charcoal use while supporting government’s initiative of promoting LPG use. These motivational factors drove Mr. Ofori and his team to settle on Gas retail outlets to effectively help the people within the Nsawam enclave.
In a bid to safeguard the safety of residents, Oforigas Ltd was situated at Dobro, then a new site with no residential facilities and was safer for residents of Nsawam and its environs.
By December 1999, all paper works and constructions had been completed awaiting final testing by regulatory authorities and on April 1, 2000, Oforigas Ltd started full operations.
Employment
Oforigas Ltd, since its establishment two decades ago, has created employment for many individuals and households. The Company which began with a direct staff of 3, currently has a staff strength of more than 10 and a host of indirect staff through its depot system.
The company has never reneged on its commitment to staff and customers. The company believes in the old saying “treat your employees well and they will treat your customers well”. Staff welfare has been an integral part of the company’s strategy all these years.
Statutory obligation and corporate social responsibility
Many companies have gone extinct or are in legal battles with the state, based on non-compliance with statutory obligations. Oforigas Ltd has never failed to comply with regulations or its statutory obligations in its 20 years of being in operation.
Any company that sees corporate social responsibility (CSR) as a worry is not fit to work in a community. Oforigas Ltd has throughout the years contributed its quota through various channels as a way of giving back to the society. Notable CSR activities include the annual support for widows through the CEO and the annual support to the Dobro Traditional Council during community festivals. The company has also supported many religious activities mostly through the Nsawam Assemblies of God Church. One of such support was assisting the church make a donation at Nsawam Prisons.
Challenges and Opportunities
“If you expect life to be easy, challenges will seem difficult, if you accept that challenges may occur, life will be easier”-Rob Liano. Oforigas Ltd, since its inception accepted there will be challenges and has therefore turned most of these challenges into competitive advantages and opportunities. The company struggled initially with staff performance and after streamlined training, the staff performances have improved over the years. The location of the company initially became a challenge but through the introduction of delivery services, that challenge was overcome. The company has not been all glossy as we have missed some opportunities but our success story surpasses them all.
Future Oforigas After 20
Oforigas Ltd has really changed the face of Gas retail business in the Eastern region and by extension, Ghana as a whole.
The future looks exciting for the company. New members are expected to join the management team with wealth of in-depth experience and a commitment to succeed. A 15-year development and expansion drive is intended to herald the rebirth of the company into greater heights within the Gas retail business.
Many welfare projects for staff are certain and CSR is expected to surpass what has been seen with the launching of the OFORIGAS Foundation which is expected to handle the CSR vision of the business.
The future of the company is built on Philippians 1:6 “and I am certain that God, who has began this good work, will complete it”. Our hope is built on nothing but on Christ. Oforigas Ltd is a going concern and is primed to continue into the foreseeable future as a stronger brand and be a bigger employer in support of its community and the country as a whole.
Thank you to all our Staff and clients who have stood and brought us to this far.
Oforigas is Grateful..