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NDDC: Beyond Annual Ritual Of Free Healthcare Outreaches
According to the Acting Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Professor Nelson Brambaifa, the interventionist agency is poised to conduct soon, its 2019 free healthcare outreach for Niger Delta communities. This disclosure came during a courtesy visit to his office by the Vice Chairman of the Rivers State Chapter of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Dr Ebbi Robinson. In a statement made available to journalists and signed by Nancy Ijaopo, a media aide to the NDDC MD, the agency also intends to renovate and equip some cottage hospitals across the nine mandate states under its statutory purview. The envisaged free healthcare exercise is a continuation of an annual ritual by the commission since 2004 and comprises a one-week intensive delivery of free healthcare services to as many patients that can be mobilised to a location. Apparently, the locations for launching the exercise vary from year to year. By the commission’s claim, the free healthcare exercise has benefitted over two million people in the oil rich zone since its inception in 2004.
In its contemporary setting, a free health care programme enjoys significant merit within any benefitting community as it provides them with waivers of whole or portions of patient payable fees for medical treatment. For the Niger Delta area and even across the entire country, the waiving of medical fees provides invaluable relief to beneficiaries, by reducing the financial burdens many of them face in sourcing money for medical treatment. In any cases even when the money may be available, the facilities for medical service delivery are far and not immediately accessible, thereby leaving patients in a quandary.
In another vein, budgetary considerations have been cited as restricting the free healthcare service in variety and scope. Hence, for instance, the NDDC exercise lasts for just a week in each particular year, and the range of services is similarly limited, making the entire free healthcare service a largely salutary measure when compared to the humongous scope of healthcare challenges of the Niger Delta region. Among the typical challenges of the zone is the difficult terrain which prevents easy movement of the sick from home to hospital. Added to this is its serial neglect by past administrations at the federal level with the attendant result of denial of critical infrastructure including hospitals in the zone.
It was to improve on the situation that the commission since 2010 planned to establish world class medical facility in the region in collaboration with foreign interests. Nine years since that initiative was born, it is yet to see the light of day, leaving the current leadership the opportunity to write their names in history by changing the project’s history. Hence, while the 2019 free healthcare exercise may engage the sights of the NDDC leadership for now, nothing precludes them from giving life and flesh to the proposed worldclass healthcare institution. Among the reasons for fast-tracking the establishment of the envisaged world-class healthcare facility, is the need to reverse the narrative that the annual free healthcare service is the flagship of the commission’s health management agenda for the region.
In its operational blueprint and budgetary proposals, the commission promotes a robust agenda for healthcare management which spans the entire gamut of areas needy of intervention. Regrettably, however, the story of project management by the NDDC especially before the advent of the present management, has not been without multiplicity of instances of less than optimal discretion, with the attendant consequence that several projects of strategic significance suffer avoidable compromise and even outright truncations. This syndrome in the operations of the commission reportedly reached its apogee from June 2015 when crass politicisation of its leadership became an unbridled affair. It is therefore not unlikely that several projects including the envisaged world-class healthcare facility, may have ended up as mere still births.
However, with the sterling antecedents in the demanding academic terrain of the current Managing Director of NDDC, Professor Nelson Brambrainfa as a world acclaimed pharmacist, the game changing prospects of the expected healthcare facility cannot be lost on him. While the commission remains justified in paying attention to cottage hospitals which are invaluable to the grassroot communities, it is also time to look beyond baseline targets.
The Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has approved a minor cabinet reshuffle in the State Executive Council.
Under the new disposition, Barrister Christopher Green, who until now served as Commissioner for Sports, has been redeployed to the Ministry of Justice as the Honourable Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice.
This is contained in an official statement signed by Dr. Honour Sirawoo, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information and Communications.
According to the statement, Barrister Green will also continue to coordinate the activities of the Ministry of Sports pending the appointment of a substantive Commissioner to oversee the ministry.
The redeployment, which takes immediate effect, was approved at the last State Executive Council meeting for the year 2025, underscoring the Governor’s commitment to strengthening governance, ensuring continuity in service delivery, and optimising the performance of key ministries within the state.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has declared that his administration will ensure the delivery of developmental projects and the prevalence of peace in all parts of Rivers State.
The Governor emphasized that the achievement of these lofty ideals can only occur through the unwavering contributions of all Rivers stakeholders.
Speaking during the commissioning of the 10.7-kilometre Egbeda–Omerelu Road constructed by his administration, the governor said Rivers State can only move forward when its people choose unity over division.
He assured Rivers people that development projects would reach every part of the State but cautioned that progress cannot thrive where conflict persists.
Reflecting on the project, Governor Fubara recalled that the road was a promise he made during the inauguration of the first phase about a year ago.
“We made a promise that we were going to do this project, and today I am happy that the government has fulfilled that promise made to Emohua people, Egbeda community and Omerelu people,” he said.
He noted that the essence of governance is service to the people, adding that responding to their needs is a core responsibility of any administration.
“We decided to do this because you know where we are coming from, and if we don’t tell our story, many won’t know what we are doing. Even in the face of tribulations, we have remained focused on delivering the dividends of democracy. We will continue to serve our people with respect and honour,” he affirmed.
Governor Fubara also reiterated his support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, pledging to back all groups working towards securing the President’s victory in 2027.
Giving technical details of the project, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Works, Dr. Austin Ezekiel-Hart, explained that the contract was awarded on October 27, 2024, to Messrs Johnson Roadworks Limited.
He said the road links communities in Emohua and Ikwerre LGAs and shortens travel time for motorists commuting from Ahoada East, Ahoada West and Omoku through Egbeda to Owerri in Imo State.
He added that the infrastructure features a 12-metre clearing width and an 8-metre asphalt surface, comprising a 50mm binder course and a 40mm wearing course. It is complemented by 24 kilometres of drainage channels with a 1.05m² cross-sectional capacity to ensure durability and efficient water flow.
In his remarks, the Chairman of Emohua Local Government Area, Dr. Chidi Lloyd, described the road as a crucial link for surrounding communities, significantly easing movement for residents.
He praised the governor for demonstrating continuity and consolidation and prayed for God’s strength to enable him to achieve even more for the people.
Governor Siminalayi Fubara says Rivers State remains the best investment destination for investors in the oil and gas sector.
Governor Fubara stated that since the economic development of Rivers State is closely connected to the growth of the oil and gas industry, his administration has continued to collaborate with the Federal Government and host communities to protect natural assets in the sector.
The Governor stated this during the Nigeria and Entrepreneurship Summit and Honours (NESH) Foundation Oil and Gas Roundtable in Port Harcourt.
Represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Benibo Anabraba, he pointed out that since the economy of Nigeria relies substantially on the oil and gas sector, his administration will continue to collaborate with relevant stakeholders to ramp up production.
“The Nigerian oil and gas sector is the lifeblood of our nation’s economy, contributing over 90% of Federal Government’s foreign exchange earnings. Similarly, Rivers State, home to numerous national and multinational oil and gas companies, is the centre of Nigeria’s hydrocarbon industry, with the State’s oil and gas resources generating over 40% of the country’s revenue.
“?Considering this, the survival and economic development of Rivers State are closely connected to the growth of the oil and gas industry. That is why, since the beginning of this administration, we have focused on safeguarding the national oil and gas assets in collaboration with the Federal Government, security agencies, communities and other stakeholders, and we will maintain this commitment for as long as it is necessary.
“Furthermore, we have established and maintained a conducive, peaceful, and secure environment for companies to open and flourish in the State as part of a strategic plan to stimulate our economy, generate jobs, and enhance the well-being of our citizens.
“We therefore recognise and applaud the vital role that indigenous companies are currently playing in bridging gaps and advancing the development of Nigeria’s oil and gas industry,” he stressed.?
Governor Fubara affirmed that Nigerian-funded companies can only succeed and make meaningful contributions to the nation’s economic prosperity when challenges that limit the nation are effectively tackled, and expressed his administration’s stand to support indigenous organisations such as the Nigeria and Entrepreneurship Summit and Honours (NESH) Foundation.
Declaring the roundtable open, the Governor assured the Nigerian-Owned companies in the oil and gas sector, that “we are ready and willing to respond positively to any administrative, policy, or legislative recommendations within our jurisdiction as a subnational State.”
The Founder of the Nigeria and Entrepreneurship Summit and Honours (NESH) Foundation, Mr Emeka ugwu-Ozu, disclosed that the summit, held only in an oil and gas producing place, is a forum for all in the industry to brainstorm and suggest best practices for local players.
“This roundtable discussion takes place in only oil and gas producing states, and it is intentional. And that is to make sure that sooner, it becomes like what we say is the equivalent of Houston in the United States of America.
“I would say that from what I have seen so far, Rivers State is back and open, safe and good for business. The oil and gas players should come and see what we have seen,” he said.