WIOC celebrates 50 years of service

In observance of its 50th anniversary of service to Antigua and Barbuda, and the rest of the Caribbean, the West Indies Oil Company’s (WIOC) Chief Executive Officer, Gregory Georges, presented Prime Minister Gaston Browne with the WIOC’s anniversary magazine.
During a brief ceremony, the prime minister acknowledged the company’s accomplishment of reaching its Golden anniversary and implored the company to continue contributing towards the development of the twin island state.
On behalf of the Cabinet and the people of Antigua and Barbuda, the prime minister also wished the company many more years of successful operations.
“It is a corporation and corporations that are successful live for centuries and it is a very important institution in the economic landscape of Antigua and Barbuda. We hope that they will continue to make profits, continue to contribute to socio-economic development and again we commend the staff and the management of WIOC on this important milestone,” Browne said.
In a magazine to commemorate the company’s Golden anniversary, it is stated that WIOC invested in excess of $115 million in upgrading its infrastructure after the government purchased majority shares in 2015 for US $30 million from the National Petroleum Limited.
The CEO noted that WIOC was incorporated in 1961, operations began in 1968 and the company continues to provide services to Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica and the rest of the region.
Georges also disclosed that following the suggestion of National Hero Sir Lester Bird, WIOC chose to chronicle the company’s growth and development as well as its contributions to the socio-economic development of the country.
On Wednesday, PM Browne was handed the first copy of the 72-page magazine, followed by a similar presentation to Sir Lester by Georges who delivered both copies to Cabinet.
The glossy magazine features several articles and photos that tell the story of WIOC from the company’s inception to the present. It also highlights the employees and other people who have contributed to the continuity of the company.