News
Reps Urge IOCs To Assist Solve UPTH Power Challenge
In a bid to put a permanent solution to the epileptic power challenge at University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH), the House of Representatives Committee on Health Institutions has appealed to International Oil Companies (IOCs) operating in Rivers State to assist the hospital in solving the menace.
The committee said such assistance was part of the IOCs’ Corporate Social Responsible (CSR) to its host communities.
Chairman of the committee, Hon Paschal Chigozie Obi stated this in Port Harcourt during the tour of UPTH facilities as part of its constitutional oversight functions as federal lawmakers.
Obi, who represents Ideato North /South Federal Constituency, Imo State, said the committee was in the hospital for the exercise of its oversight functions in line with Section 88 of 1999 Constitution as amended, which gives power for it to exercise oversight roles in all Federal Government health institutions.
Accompanied by five other federal legislators, Obi appealed to oil companies in the state to seek alternative means of curbing power problem in UPTH so as to aid health care delivery service in the hospital.
He said the committee was pleased with what oil companies and corporate institutions were doing in Lagos State in areas of power supply to government-owned tertiary hospitals.
Obi urged companies, corporate institutions in Rivers State to replicate same gesture in Port Harcourt by assisting in providing constant power supply to UPTH to carry out its health care delivery services and save lives.
“I have not seen such thing here in University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, government cannot do all alone, we need your assistance and services in areas of alternative power supply to the hospital.
“We need things like independent power plants in this hospital to boost health care delivery to the people”.
The chairman said the essence of the visit was to ensure that funds that were allocated to the hospital was judiciously utilised by the management.
“We are here to find out the manner these funds were managed and utilised by the management of this hospital.
“We are in UPTH to monitor the capable budgetary performance of the institution for the allocation used in 2021/2022”, he said.
The committee, who also visited Intensive Care Unit (ICU) Pediatric Dept, reconstructive surgery, mental health, COVID-19 Treatment Centre and Molecular Laboratory, commended the Chief Medical Director, UPTH, Prof Henry Arinze Ugboma and his team for their prudent management of the resources allocated to the hospital.
Obi lauded Ugboma for prudent utilisations of funds allocated to the hospital in the years under review.
“The CMD and the management’s of UPTH are doing well with funds allocated to them by the federal government, embarking on projects at the hospital”, Obi said.
The committee also hail UPTH management team for embarking on projects that would improve quality health care delivery in the hospital.
Earlier, Chief Medical Director, UPTH, Prof Henry Arinze Ugboma, noted that power was the major challenge militating the smooth operations in the hospital.
“We have some challenges, especially in the area of power. It is a major challenge in this hospital. Right now, we use about two trucks of diesel a month, and we pay Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company (PHEDC) an average of about N20million per month.
“And for these two trucks of diesel, we pay for each N34million to keep power 24 hours it is not an easy thing because we are owing those who give us diesel.”
He disclosed that the hospital pays over N20million as electricity bill to Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company (PHEDC) and spends over N60million on diesel on monthly bases.
“We are trying how we can assess alternative means of power. We are looking into it with some groups. We are also writing to multinationals to see how they can in to assist us in the area of alternative power. That is the biggest challenge that we have presently.”
By: Chinedu Wosu
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.
The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Rivers State Council, has urged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to expedite the prosecution of the Director of the now distressed MBA Forex Trading, Mr. Maxwell Odum, in the interest of justice.
The Rivers State NUJ made the appeal during a courtesy visit to the EFFC’s Ag. Zonal Director, ACE Hassan Saidu, in Port Harcourt, recently.
The council’s chairman, Comrade Paul Bazia, said the appeal became imperative after it considered the number of Nigerians and others involved in the financial misconduct.
According to him, it has caused hardship among many households in the country and should be given the attention it deserves.
He said that investors cannot come into a country or invest in an economy or nation ridden with fraud.
This, he said, has made it more imperative to arrest, prosecute and convict alleged fraudsters like the MBA Forex Director, who is alleged to have defrauded thousands of unsuspecting Nigerians, to serve as a deterrent to others.
The chairman also requested that while the trial lasts, part of the swindled funds should be given to the victims that suffered loss and trauma as a result of the fraud.
The NUJ reiterated its resolve to change the narrative of reportage from crisis to developmental communication.
According to him, the NUJ’s main focus is blue economy and tourism.
He expressed the readiness of the Council to partner the agency in the area of information dissemination.
“We believe you have a responsibility to fight financial crimes. We also know that you need the Press to publicize your activities and NUJ can provide that,” he said.
Responding, the Zonal EFFC’s boss commended the NUJ’s vision to change the narrative of reporting from crisis to developmental communication.
According to Saidu, the Western world have since imbibed such culture, hence the negative stories about them are carefully sifted to allow only positive ones to be released to the outside world.
As for the trapped funds to be released, the EFCC Zonal Director stated that only the court can authorize such action, stressing that the primary responsibility of the Commission is to arrest and prosecute.
He pledged to partner with the NUJ now that the leadership has visited the Commission.
The Head of the Legal & Prosecution Department, DCE Odiase Stephen, corroborated the Zonal Director’s position and stressed that it was only when the matter has been determined by the court that such funds can be released.
He further stated that once a matter is before a court of competent jurisdiction, it cannot be discussed outside.
By: King Onunwor
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