News
FG Sinks N5bn On Water Projects In Bayelsa
Over five billion naira has so far been spent on the construction of water projects in various locations in Bayelsa State since the commencement of the present administration. Governor Timipre Sylva made this known in Yenagoa at a joint news briefing with the visiting Minister of Water Resources, Chief Obadiah Ando, after an inspection tour of water projects in the state.
The Minister was in Bayelsa State in continuation of his tour of states to get first hand information on on-going and abandoned water projects, and seek area of collaboration with state governments in the provision of potable water for all.
The team from both the Federal Ministry of Water resources and the Commissioner in charge of the Ministry in the state.
Mr.Kurokegha Francis with the Minister and Governor Timipre Sylva,visited the main water works in Yenagoa,water project in Otuoke and the Oloibiri regional project in Otuabagi, Ogbia local government area.
The General Manager of the state water Board. Mr.Cornelius Ala,was on ground to brief the team on the state of the facilities, most of which require expansion to be able to serve more people.
Mr. Ala, told the team that ground water remained the best source for water as it required minimal cost to clean the iron contents rather than the use of surface water, for which the treatment of various contaminants would not be cost effective.
Briefing newsmen, Governor Sylva, said the five billion naira investments in water projects covered the on-going two regional projects in Otuabagi and Nembe which cost about three billion naira out of the six regional ones and thirteen other water schemes across the state.
“I hear a group saying that we have paid fully for the Oloibiri regional water project, and that it has been abandoned. The cost of that project is N1.8 billion and the job is about seventy per cent completed.
“About N1.4 billion had been paid to the contractor who is also handling the one in Nembe.The contractor is asking for variation again but we said no,” Sylva stated.
According to him,”
“This administration takes the issue of water seriously.Water is life. We didn’t want to do small small project,we had to map the state into six zones with regional schemes out of which the Otuabagi and Nembe had commenced”.
The Governor, who thanked the Minister for the collaboration, said water reticulation within the state was a difficult one and that the government was doing its best to make potable available to the people.
Chief Sylva expressed confidence in the ability of the present administration at the federal level to deliver water to every nooks and cranny of the country.
Also speaking, the Minister of Water Resources, said the Federal Government was committed to carrying out quick impact projects by resurrecting abandoned water projects all over the country.
“ Our administration is not that that will abandone projects, we are resurrecting abandoned projects and carrying on with them to make quick impact on the lives of the people at the rural areas. I am moving from state to state to take stock for now”. Ando said.
Chief Ando, said the Federal Government would reach an agreement with the Bayelsa State government to make the people have access to water and urged the beneficiaries to cultivate the attitude of maintenance of facilities in their area.
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.
