Chevron Nigeria Limited (CNL) has intensified the fight against malaria, as it flagged off its rollbackmalaria programme at Ubeji, its host community in Warri South Local Government Area, Delta State, at the weekend.

The programme involves the distribution of drugs and insecticide treated mosquito nets (ITNs) to health facilities in the local government areas.

In his remark, the company's Managing Director, Mr. Fred Nelson, decried the high malaria rate, which is regarded as the major cause of death in the country.

He pointed out that about one million children die before they turn five years and called for a holistic approach to stamp it out. Nelson stressed that the disease affects about 110 million of the 140 million Nigerians, noting that malaria was still the number one killer disease in the country.

''Some reports say malaria affects about 110 million out of 140 million. About one million Nigerian children die before their fifth birthday every year, usually due to malaria infection. "These shocking figures show that malaria still kills more people than HIV/AIDS or any other killer disease.

Chevron believes that malaria is preventable, it can be treated and it could be eradicated'', Nelson said. He pointed out that good health was vital to sustainable development of any society, stating that the company undertook the initiative because malaria presents a major health challenge in Nigeria where it operates.

Represented by Warri Area Manager, Emmanuel Momoh, the company boss disclosed that eradicating the disease would stand it in good stead as, ''Chevron vitality is dependent on the health and wellbeing of its employees and communities around our areas of operations.

''We are assured that with many healthy people in the society, our reservoir of human resources remains rich''. The initiative, he stressed, "is complementary to the various health programmes being carried out by the company in the state." Nelson said CNL was committed to partner relevant agencies to improve quality of life of the people.

According to him, ''for sustainable development to be achieved, the cooperation of people in areas where we operate is necessary, an environment of peace must exist''.

Besides, he appealed to the leaders and people in its host communities to continue to sustain the spirit of friendship and good neigbourliness as well as ensuring that disagreements are resolved through dialogue with respect for the rule of law.