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Inaugurate CDB, Degema Communities Urge SPDC
The 15 Communities which constitute the Degema Cluster 2 in Kalabari area have appealed to the Rivers State Government to prevail on the Shell Petroleum Development Company, SPDC, to inaugurate their Community Development Board (CDB).
The cluster 2 communities which presented their request to the committee on Community and Chieftaincy Affairs of the State House of Assembly, Wednesday, noted that their move became necessary because their earlier petition did not receive the needed attention as the SPDC failed to turn up for discussion when invited.
One of the spokesmen of the cluster 2 communities, Chief Fred Fiyasiri told newsmen that their main concern was for SPDC to inaugurate the CDB officials, define their terms and benefits for all the affected communities, just as they did for Degema Cluste 1 and 3 communities.
Also speaking, Chief Akaodu Harrison, representing the to give communities within the zone a sense of belonging like their counterparts in Cluster 1 and 3.
According to him, SPDC had refused to inaugurate cluster 2 CDB because of zero production from that area.
He, however, said the CDB should be inaugurated to engage the youths and deter them from vandising SPDC facilities.
Also speaking Barrister Nnenna Omubo Pepple argued that cluster 2 was among the clusters approved by SPDC abinitio, lamenting that SPDC later decided to identify with far communities while neglecting others.
In their presentation, representation of the youth wing Messres Ipalibo Braide, George Ayanate and Mpake Amachree also urged SPDC to inaugurate the cluster 2 CDB. They regretted that since May 2006, the SPDC had been evading cluster 2 communities thus forcing then to cry out to government for justice and fair play.
Responding, Chairman, committee on Community and Chieftaincy Affairs in the House, Hon. Ibinabo Micheal West thanked the cluster 2 communities for handling the matter in a civilised manner, devoid of violence or vandalisaion of SPDC facilities.
He also noted that SPDC shunned their invitation, adding that the committee would take steps that could lead to the arrest of some SPDC staff like the Public Relation Officer, Manager of Area C, Head of Security, the Community Department Co-ordicator and the Head Co-ordinator of the Global Memorandum of Understanding (GMOU) Board.
Hon. Micheal West who represents Asalga II then assured on resolution of the matter as soon as possible, and urged the affected comities to maintain the peace because government will not disappoint them.
The communities comprising cluster 2 are Bukuma, Zion City, Christ Liberty, daily Bread, Atuka-Ama, Bekin Kiri and Akidi-Ama. Other are Ekirebio, Harrison-Ama, Angula-Ama, Horsefall-Ama, Ekire-Ama, Ogazi-Ama, Omekoretari-Ama and Kala Ekwe.
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.
