NNPC-Chevron Venture Donates 186 Equipment to Ijaw, Itsekiri Cottage Hospitals

By Omon-Julius Onabu

The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and Chevron Nigeria Ltd Joint Venture (CNL) has donated an assortment of hospital equipment and pharmaceutical products to two cottage hospitals at Egbema-Gbaramatu Kingdom and another Ogidigben in Warri South-West and Warri North local government areas of Delta State.

Benefiting healthcare facilities include the two CNL-sponsored cottage hospitals at the Ijaw communities of Tsekeluwu and Oporoza, traditional headquarters of Gbaramatu Kingdom and the Government Cottage Hospital at Ogidigben in Warri Kingdom.

The equipment were received on behalf of the cottage hospitals by the Egbema- Gbaramatu Communities Development Foundation (EGCDF) as well as the Itsekiri Regional Development Committee (IRDC), yesterday in Warri.

At the separate handing over ceremonies of the hospital and pharmaceutical items at the EGCDF and IRDC secretariats in Warri, Chevron General Manager, Policy, Government and Public Affairs (PGPA), Mr Esimaje Brikinn, said that the medical equipment were part of the company’s contribution to EGCDF and IRDC communities in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGS) on healthcare.

“We thank the Delta State Government for always supporting the GMoU; CNL is proud to be part of this”, he noted. “We believe that our business success is tied to the progress and prosperity of the people we collaborate with and the communities where we work.

“Everywhere we work, we demonstrate ethical, environmentally responsible, safe and respectful business practices. We also contribute to the achievement of the SDGs. As we would say, we are in the business of driving human progress.

“Our primary contribution is by safely developing and delivering affordable and reliable energy that is necessary for social and economic progress. Additionally, we contribute through our work in protecting people and the environment and by investing in health, education and economic development,” Brikinn, who was represented by the Senior Government and Public Affairs Advisor (PGPA) Happy Apai, stated.

The general manager of the oil and gas industry giant further expressed appreciation to the Delta State Government, traditional and community rulers of Egbema-Gbaramatu kingdoms, the Itsekiri Kingdom and the entire people for their commitment and support in actualizing the objectives of the GMoU.

Nevertheless, CNL expressed optimism the mutual trust already engendered between the company and the different traditional kingdoms, communities in close proximity to its areas of operation through the initiative, “will continue to ensure peaceful environment for business activities, so that all the stakeholders will continue to benefit from CNL’s operations in Delta State.”

Delta State Commissioner for Health, Dr Mordi Ononye, who was represented by Managing Director, Central Hospital, Warri, Dr Patrick Omu, said that the government was always delighted to do business with people and environment-responsible organisations like Chevron Nigeria Limited.

The health commisdioner pledged the state government would ensure the healthcare equipment get down to the end-users in the creeks and waterside communities, charging the recipient hospitals to put them into timely and judicious use.

Receiving the items on behalf of the communities, Chairman of EGCDF, Joseph Wuruyai, and Public Relations Officer (PRO) of IRDC, Moses Fregene, who represented IRDC chairman, thanked Chevron, the state government and other stakeholders for the donations and demonstrable concern for the well-being of the people.

They promised to ensure judicious utilisation of the healthcare equipment and supplies and take true ownership by maintaining them in the overall interest of the Ijaw and Itsekiri communities who find it difficult traveling to Warri and environs to access medical facilities when in need.

The medical items provided for use at the cottage hospitals, which were displayed in their pristine state, included wheel chairs, ultrasound scanners, nebulizers, oxygen cylinders with trolley, stethoscopes, genotype machine, patient monitors and binoculars microscope.

Others were pediatric UV light system, baby incubators, auto urine analyser, laboratory incubators, Manual Suction Machine, Electric Suction Machine, Mercurial Sphygmomanometer and Neubar Chamber, among others.

Dignitaries at the events include the Director, Delta State Contributory Health Commission (DSCHC), Dr Ben Nkechika, the Managing Director, Toronto Hospital Nigeria, Emeka Eze, senior Chevron officials including Douglas Ibigo and Kayode Adeboye, Emmanuel Asu, Treasurer of IRDC and EGCDF General Secretary, Joseph Abilo.