RSG Unveils Home-Based Health Scheme …Charges School Proprietor For Endangering Children

Rivers State Government has commenced home-based healthcare
programme in the state.

The health programme introduced by  Rt Hon Chibuike Amaechi administration  is aimed at delivering healthcare to the
people in their homes through the Primary Healthcare Management Board.

Speaking at the launching of the programme yesterday at the
modern Primary Health Centre Miriwanyi, Oyigbo Local Government Area, the Commissioner
for Health, Dr Sampson Parker restated the state government commitment to
deliver health care to the people that needed it most.

Dr Parker said that apart from building and equipping of the
various health centres government introduced integrated home based healthcare
programme for better awareness, improved prevention against diseases and quick
intervention by health officials during child birth and other minor medical
cases.

He tasked the healthcare workers specially trained for the
programme to meet the target by reaching out to the people in their homes and
teaching them what to do.

Meanwhile, the Task Force on Illegal Structures, under the
Rivers State Ministry of Urban Development and Physical Planning has arrested
and charged to court, a school proprietor, Mr. Anyanwu Vincent Chima for
erecting an illegal structure at No 43 Ojike Street, Port Harcourt.

The Commissioner for Urban Development and Physical
Planning, Dr. Tammy Danagogo who made this known in Port Harcourt, yesterday,
also ordered the immediate sealing-off of the building until proper approvals
have been obtained.

He explained that the
prosecution became inevitable when repeated warnings by the ministry
failed to convince the proprietor to respect laid down building regulations.

The proprietor’s alleged disregard for law and due process,
the ministry further said, placed the lives of several innocent children in
jeopardy, adding that it would have amounted to irresponsible abdication of the
ministry’s responsibility, if immediate action was not taken against him.

“Whereas an initial approval for an eight bedroom structure
was granted Mr. Chima for residential purposes on  July 18, 2012 he converted it into a school
building without further approvals from the ministry”, the commissioner stated,
adding that the proprietor also ignored a ‘Stop Work’ notice issued on
September 3rd, this year and instead, continued to build, while, children
attended classes in the same building.

In furtherance of its desire to fully implement the
development control laws of the state, Dr Danagogo further said, the ministry
is now operating a zero tolerance policy for illegal structures and
developments.

The commissioner used the opportunity to advise developers
and residents of Rivers State to obtain permits prior to commencing
construction and adhere strictly to such approvals to avoid f arrest.