Social Responsibility
SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
West Indies Petroleum Limited (WIP) has intentionally invested in initiatives and programmes that fill a gap or a need on the path to a better Jamaica. From financial donations gifted to medical facilities, and community enhancement programmes, to fuel for community-driven initiatives, WIP is playing its part in building a better Jamaica. Here are some of the initiatives:
Support of the Burn Unit Facility at the University Hospital of the West Indies (UHWI) (part of an initiative to establish the first proper burn care unit in Jamaica)
West Indies Petroleum Limited (WIP) has pledged five million Jamaican dollars to the University of the West Indies (UHWI) Burn Unit to help construct and maintain a fit-for-purpose Burn Unit at the University Hospital of the West Indies (UHWI). The commitment was made by senior vice-president of WIP, Danville Walker, at the fundraising event in 2023.
WIPL also pledged to match up to fifty per cent of Petrojam’s contributions, as long as Petrojam continues its donations to the burn facility.
Learn More: https://our.today/petrojam-west-indies-petroleum-make-multimillion-dollar-pledges-for-uhwi-burn-unit/
Support of Project Star
West Indies Petroleum Limited (WIP) has invested five million Jamaican dollars into Project Star (Social Transformation and Renewal), a social and economic transformation initiative created by the Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica (PSOJ) in partnership with the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) and driven by communities to bring about societal transformation through targeted interventions in under-resourced areas of Jamaica. Project Star is an undertaking of the Social Transformation and Renewal (STAR) Foundation- a registered charity in Jamaica.
Project STAR works with partners – communities, government agencies, NGOs, CBOs and private sector entities and individuals at home and in the diaspora – to connect communities with the services and resources that were agreed during the consultation process.
Learn more: https://www.projectstarja.com/
West Indies Petroleum supports Boot Gas Station’s vaccination drive-thru
In 2021, the world was in the grips of a global pandemic.
In the push return to normalcy, WIP fuelled an initiative of a drive-through programme spearheaded by Wayne Boothe, the owner of Boot Gas Station, by donating 1,000 gallons of fuel. With a vested interest in seeing the nation return to normal, WIP donated the fuel to Boot Gas Station, as their contribution to the initiative. This donation was an added bonus, and a deciding factor for some, helping to urge people to receive the vaccine.
WIP CEO Charles Chambers stated, “WIP is dedicated to doing what we can, with what we have, to contribute to getting Jamaicans vaccinated. We’re grateful to the co-sponsors who joined this initiative and to Boot Service Station for providing the much-needed space and the requisite logistical planning to organize the blitz.”
WIP Chairman Gordon Shirley added, “If we all join together for the mutual goal of getting everyone vaccinated, we can get through this pandemic together. Today was one positive step in that right direction. At WIP, we hope to continue contributing in whatever way that we can.”
WIPL sponsors Port Antonio Canoe Tournament
In 2022, WIP agreed to be a main sponsor of the 38th staging of the Port Antonio Local Canoe Tournament – the longest-running local canoe competition. Having been suspended for two years, the return of the tournament in 2022 saw an enthusiastic response, with over 180 fisherfolk participating from across the island. WIP contributed $250,000 to purchase trophies and provided 300 gallons of outboard mixed gasoline (E-10-87) with required additives for 60 canoes, and also presented the trophy for the biggest fish caught.
Competitors participated from six main parishes – St Thomas, Portland, St Mary, St Ann, St James and Trelawny. “The Oracabessa fishermen always play a strong part in the tournament. They are usually in the top three every year. We have strong support for the tournament this year and that type of sponsorship allows you to push the competition a little bit further and make things more competitive,” said Daney-Ann Thomas, president and CEO Portland Chamber of Commerce.
WIP Chief Executive Officer Charles Chambers said, “As a Jamaica-based regional fuel supplier, we are playing our part in supporting an initiative that will not only bring good cheer to the community and a host of fisherfolk across the country, but we recognise that support is important because many people look to the tournament as an opportunity to enhance their livelihood and sustenance.”
WIP Senior Vice President Danville Walker said, “Indeed, when possible, West Indies Petroleum is happy to support these activities because we appreciate that tournaments such as these are designed to promote sport fishing and crucially have the potential of enhancing the tourism product to the benefit of surrounding communities and the wider tourism enterprise in Jamaica, So we must do what we can.”
Other Key ESG Activities
- Support of Annual Pink Run
- Reduction of Carbon Emissions Project
- Scholarships at the Caribbean Maritime University (CMU)