Rivers, Austria Partner To Boost Agric, Education, Healthcare  …As Fubara Plans To Revamp State Fire Service

Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has accepted the partnership gesture offered by the Austrian government in improving healthcare service delivery, agriculture and quality education for the people of the State.

This was disclosed after a closed door meeting between Fubara and the Austrian Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr  Thomas Schlesinger in Government House, Port Harcourt, last Friday.

In the company of the ambassador was a delegation of an Austrian company, Avsatel Communications Limited, which was seeking partnership between the State tertiary institutions and an Austrian university in delivering quality healthcare services and education.

The governor disclosed that from the expertise of Avsatel, the State government would further engage the company to revamp the State Fire Service to be more responsive to the needs of Rivers people.

Speaking to newsmen after the meeting, Austrian Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Thomas Schlesinger, said they discussed on areas of mutual partnership, which include collaboration between Austrian universities and Rivers State-owned tertiary institutions for global training in health education.

He further disclosed that the State has also agreed to engage the expertise of Avsatel Communications in transportation technology, especially in areas of providing expertise in the installation and use of air traffic management system as well as revamping the state-owned Fire Service.

Former governor of Rivers State, Dr. Peter Odili, who was part of the closed door meeting, said there were lots of potentials in the State that the governor was harnessing to advance the fortunes of Rivers people.

Odili explained that a new level of collaboration has been explored in the education sector that would encourage shared experience and exchange of programmes.

He added that this would make it possible for Rivers State and Austria to move into the future in the area of medical education.