News
…Performs Ground-breaking For Greater Port Harcourt
As part of activities marking the second Anniversary Celebration of Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi in office, the governor Saturday performed the ground breaking ceremony for the kick-off of the development of the Greater Port Harcourt City.
Performing the ceremony at the Greater Port Harcourt site, Governor Amaechi said while the Greater Port Harcourt Development Authority was yet to commence its projects in the new city the government has started the development with the building of the new Rivers State University of Science and Technology and the mega hospital christened Justice Karibi-White Specialist Hospital.
The governor who explained that the authority could not start because it has to wait for Due Process said they representing the government as politicians could not wait, but put the land mark because by the end of their tenure, the people would ask them what they have achieved.
He however indicated his happiness with the management of the Greater Port Harcourt Authority for trying to put in place what looks like the Tinapa Business Resort in Calabar in the Greater Port Harcourt City.
The State Chief Executive said there in an indication that foreign partners are already showing interest in the project and expressed the hope that if achieved, the project would not only add to the aesthetic beauty of the new city but would also enhance the economy of the state.
In his remark, the Chairman, Board of the Greater Port Harcourt City, Chief Ferdinand Anabraba said the concept of the new city is of interest not only to Rivers State but beyond because of the potential benefits for better living and investments
Chief Anabraba pointed out that the new city would no doubt create better conditions and environment for living, working and economic development, saying that because what makes the city great and functional to a large extent depends on the state of infrastructure such as roads, water, power, sewage, drains among others saying, the authority since inception has been concentrating on the design of such facilities.
According to the board chairman, the designs have reached advanced stage as he expressed the hope that within a couple of weeks into the new year, the process for the award of contracts and commencement of construction works would begin.
Also speaking, the Sole Administrator of Greater Port Harcourt City, Dame Aleruchi Cookey-Gam described the groundbreaking event as a mile stone and evidence of the fact that the present administration is ready to move on.
Dame Aleruchi hinted that the Greater Port Harcourt Authority has commenced the Environmental Impact Assessment, EIA process to ensure that activities at the new city do not impact negatively on the communities whose lands are involved in the development.
The activities marking the second anniversary also involved the governor leading stakeholders in the state on visits to some project sites in Port Harcourt, Obio Akpor and Eleme Local Government Areas.
Projects visited include the Model Health Centre, Church Hill Road, Town Market, the Reconstructed Modern Mile One Market, the new Niger Hospital known as Kelsay Harrison Hospital, Rumuokwuta/Choba Road, Agip Junction flyover along Ikwerre Road, Dental Hospital, Model Primary School and Health Centre, Elekahia, the Model Secondary School, Ebubu-Eleme.
Among those who accompanied tile governor on the visit were traditional rulers, council chairmen, commissioners, members of the state legislature and other politicians.
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.
