Over 3,400 Bayelsa Residents Benefit from First E&P, NNPC JV Medicare Outreach

Peter Uzoho

As part of its corporate social responsibility, the OML 83 and 85 NNPC/ First Exploration and Petroleum Development Company Limited (FIRST E&P) Joint Venture (JV) has concluded its 2nd  Medical Outreach in Bayelsa State, with over 3,400 residents of its 11 host communities benefitting.

The benefitting host communities in Bayelsa included Koluama 1, Koluama 2, Ekeni, Fishtown, Foropa, Ezetu 1, Ezetu 2, Sangana, Oginibiri, Okumbiri, and Okumbiribeleu.

FIRST E&P said in a statement that the programme, which was carried out in February, reached residents in remote communities with free health checks, laboratory tests and treatment, as well as eye checks and care, dental services and distribution of mosquito nets.

It said this year’s outreach followed the success of the maiden edition in 2022 which saw a total of 2,600 people spread across eight  communities benefit from the initiative.

Speaking during the launch of the five-day medical outreach in Sangana, Bayelsa State, the Head of Social Performance, FIRST E&P, Ayebatonye Basuo, stated that the initiative was implemented following a needs assessment carried out in the host communities.

According to Basuo: “The outreach was in line with FIRST E&P’s commitment to deliver high-impact social performance initiatives aimed at creating a better, sustainable future for our host communities, with a focus on education, infrastructural development, and health projects.

“Some of the communities reached do not have a hospital and residents must travel to other villages to access health care. We are pleased that with this initiative, we have been able improve the quality of life for many, and in some instances to deliver lifesaving interventions”.

She further said: “Beyond this programme, over the years, we have implemented other measures to bridge the healthcare gaps identified in our communities. For example, in 2020 we appointed 10 healthcare personnel to complement the efforts of the state government in caring for people in remote communities”.

In his remarks, the Chief Upstream Investment Officer of the NNPC Upstream Investment Management Services (NUIMS), Mr. Bala Wunti, noted that the initiative was designed to provide quality healthcare for people in the host communities.

According to Wunti, the intervention would help prevent and reduce cases of malaria, dental problems, and permanent loss of vision by providing early diagnosis, free reading glasses and consumables for all related diseases.

“This is the second time that NNPC/FIRST E&P Joint Venture initiated the health outreach to our host communities in Bayelsa State. In 2022, eight (8) communities benefitted from this medical outreach,” he said.

He expressed gratitude to the communities and other stakeholders for their support, assuring them of the company’s commitment to continue operating on the standards of ethics and sustainability while dealing with the environmental and social impacts of its activities.

Also speaking, the Director of Medical Services, Ministry of Health, Bayelsa State, Dr. Ngowari Torunana, congratulated NNPC and FIRST E&P for the intervention to alleviate the suffering of the downtrodden.

He noted that the government would continue to create an enabling environment for private sector participation in the health sector.

In his response, Chairman, Board of Trustees, KEFFESO Host Communities’ Development Trust (KHCDT), His Royal Highness, Amadabo of Moko-Ama Sangana Kingdom, Moses Theophilus, commended the NNPC/FIRST E&P JV on the intervention.

He stressed that all the people of the community appreciate the immense contribution.

“We are pleased about the health outreach and would appreciate it if other oil and gas companies could follow in their footsteps. I must say that NNPC/FIRST E&P Joint Venture has made a tremendous contribution to developing the Sangana community,” he said.