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RSG Hails Indorama, Woos Investors
The Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, has described the new fertilizer plant of the Indorama Eleme Petrochemicals Company Limited (IEPCL) in Eleme Local Government Area, as a clear testimony that the state is a safe haven for multi-billion dollar investments.
Speaking at the Indorama Eleme Petrochemicals Company Limited on Monday after a facility tour of the urea plant of the new subsidiary, Indorama Eleme Fertiliser and Chemicals Company Limited, Wike called on investors to seize the opportunities that abound in the state to do their business.
He said: “Rivers State is a safe place for investors to commit their funds for profits.
“For the company to develop the world’s largest single urea fertiliser plant, build an 83-kilometre gas pipeline and set in place a big manufacturing concern in three years, shows that this state is the business hub of the country”.
According to him, for the company to expend about $3 billion across five local government areas in the state to develop production facilities, proves that all the reports about insecurity are sponsored propaganda.
Promising that his administration will continue to provide the enabling environment for investors to thrive, the governor pointed out that the state government will partner with Indorama to build a sustainable small and medium scale enterprises hub for Rivers people to benefit.
He described the new Indorama Eleme Fertiliser and Chemicals Company Limited as, “a right investment in the right environment”.
The governor called on the company to improve on the employment of indigenes into management positions for more fruitful relationship with host communities.
He directed the state attorney-general and the special adviser on investment to work out details on the partnership structure between Indorama and the state government.
Earlier, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Indorama Eleme Petrochemicals Company Limited, Mr Manish Mundra, said that the company was a success story of public private partnership (PPP).
He said that over the years, the company has paid $34 million to the Federal Government and $23 million to the Rivers State Government.
He added that with the presence of the company, Nigeria has saved $659 million that would have been used for importation.
Wike was accompanied on the inspection by some members of the State Executive Council, and other top government functionaries.
The Tide reports that the Federal Government, Rivers State Government and the Eleme community have equity stakes in the multi-billion dollar world-class petrochemicals facility, which has continued to report huge annual profits since its acquisition by Indorama Group in 2006.
It would be recalled that the facility, hitherto owned and managed by a subsidiary of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, Eleme Petrochemicals Company Limited (EPCL), was initially moribund and abandoned before the Indorama Group acquired, refurbished and turned around the huge complex into a profitable PPP venture.
The Mayor of Housing, My-ACE China, has teamed up with a renowned hospital group in Port Harcourt, the Meridian Hospitals, which is in partnership with the Pilgrims Health Foundation, to carry out a one-day medical outreach last Tuesday.
The free treatment scheme took place at Oromenike Government Girls Secondary School in D-Line, Port Harcourt, with over 100 persons accessing free treatments, including free eye-glasses and booking for eye surgeries.
Other areas of treatment included general health consultations and treatment; blood pressure and sugar level testing; malaria testing and treatment; free prescriptions; preventive health talks focusing on hygiene, maternal health, and nutrition.
The scheme was conducted under the theme: ‘Bringing Healthcare to the Community.’
Newsmen who visited the venue of the scheme found that enthusiastic beneficiaries had thronged the area as early as 7a.m. After setting up, the medical team began attending to the patients.
Mr. Jerry Onwuso, a 63-year-old patient, who was first to see eye doctors and got eye glasses and drugs, told newsmen that he was pleased with the medical intervention.
He made it clear he did not pay any money to get all the treatments and glasses, and pleaded that the scheme be sustained.
Another patient, Loveth Sam, expressed satisfaction with the scheme and appealed to the sponsors to continue to increase the benefits.
Throwing some light on the scheme, Mr. China said he worked in Meridian Hospitals as a Lab. Scientist 19 years ago, but resigned because he could not bear to see patients struggling for life because they had no money to pay for treatment.
He said he came back to help extend free medical treatment to the less privileged.
Sources said China was always having issues with the hospital authorities when he would insist on critical patients being allowed to be treated first, with or without money.
Years later, China, who now goes by a brand name, the Mayor of Housing, returned to the Meridian Hospital headquarters to support free medical scheme.
He also went the next day to the headquarters of Meridian, after the one-day medical outreach, to give cash gifts and palliatives to workers he met when he worked there but had remained in service since he left.
He encouraged them to continue to give their all to humanity through the hospital. The Mayor of Housing called most of them by name and a cloud of emotions descended on them during the reunion.
Appreciating the gesture, the Founder and Chief Medical Director, Dr. Iyke Odo, said China had always manifested hard-work, ambition, and impulsive giving.
According to him, the then young bright boy was full of humanity, kindness, love, and made friends easily, adding that “not everybody that gives is a giver. The difference is that givers are given to give.”
Dr. Odo used the opportunity to call on governments to review Nigeria’s health insurance system and make it work in Nigeria to save lives.
He said it was sad watching critically sick persons abandoned because they did not have money for treatment.
He also condemned harsh tax and electricity tariffs whereby facilities like his now pay N12 million instead of N500,000 few years back.
He wondered why hospitals were being made to pay tariffs like oil companies, citing many other countries where medical facilities were placed on low rates and tariffs so they could charge moderate fees from patients.
The Renewed Hope Initiative in conjunction with the Rivers State Government has empowered 500 elderly citizens in Rivers State with financial support of N200,000 each.
The empowerment programme was part of activities to celebrate the third anniversary of the Renewed Hope Initiative Elderly Support Scheme RHIESS, a social investment policy initiated by the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu.
Speaking at the event which held at the Government House, Port Harcourt, recently, under the theme, ‘Finding Joy in Old Age,’ Senator Tinubu said the gesture which has become traditional since 2023 was a mark of gratitude in recognition of the invaluable contributions of the senior citizens to nation building.
The First Lady who was represented by the wife of the Rivers State Governor and State Coordinator of the Renewed Hope Initiative, Lady Valerie Fubara, said the scheme was to “support two hundred and fifty (250) vulnerable elderly citizens aged 65 and above in all the 36 states of the federation, the Federal Capital Territory, and veterans from the Defence and Police Officers’ Wives Association (DEPOWA) totalling 9,500 selected beneficiaries across the nation.
She urged the beneficiaries to engage in activities that will make them find joy in old age.
“I encourage you to continue playing your part by staying healthy and active, nurture both your body and mind through regular exercise and meaningful engagement,” Senator Tinubu advised.
On her part, Lady Fubara said the State Government through the magnanimity of the governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has increased the beneficiaries of the programme from 250 to 500.
She restated the commitment of the State Government towards provision of social welfare and improving the standard of living of the elderly in the State.
Also speaking, the Executive Secretary, Rivers State Contributory Health Protection Programme (RIVCHPP), Dr Vetty Agala, said the State Government has through the Health4allrivers Initiative, introduced free medical care for senior citizens in the State, in line with the Renewed Hope Initiative.
