NNPC/Chevron JV upscale pursuit of SDGs on healthcare, with donation of 186 hospital equipment to hospitals in Itsekiri, Ijaw communities

The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC and its Joint Venture partner, Chevron Nigeria Limited, CNL, have up-scaled their pursuit of the actualization of United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, SDGs, on healthcare with the donation of healthcare equipment and pharmaceutical products to two cottage hospitals at Ijaw speaking Egbema-Gbaramatu kingdoms in Warri North/ Warri South-West Local Government Areas and Government Cottage Hospital at Ogidigben, an Itsekiri Community in Warri South-West Local Government Area of Delta State.

Fresh Angle International can report that the medical items donated yesterday, Monday August 30, by the management of Chevron Nigeria Limited, include; wheel chairs, ultrasound scanner, nebuliser, oxygen cylinder with trolley, stethoscopes, genotype machine, patient monitors and binoculars microscope. Others were pediatric UV light system, baby incubators, auto urine analyser, laboratory incubators, Manual Suction Machine, Electric Suction Machine, Mercurial Sphygmomanometer and Neubar Chamber.

From left: Mrs. Helen Odigie, Prince (Dr.) Emeka Eze, Dr. Patrick Omu, Happy Apai, Dr. Ben Nkechika, Joseph Wuruyai, Markson Aboh, Emmanuel Emeribe & others, during the handing over at EGCDF Secretariat

The equipment were received in Warri on behalf of the cottage hospitals by the Egbema- Gbaramatu Communities’ Development Foundation, EGCDF as well as the Itsekiri Regional Development Committee, IRDC.

At the separate handing over ceremonies of the hospital and pharmaceutical items at the EGCDF and IRDC secretariats in Warri, The General Manager, Policy, Government and Public Affairs, PGPA of Chevron Nigeria Limited, Mr. Esimaje Brikinn, said the medical provisions were part of the company's contributions to EGCDF and IRDC communities, to meet the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGS) on healthcare.

Mr. Esimaje Brikinn, who was represented by the Senior Government & Public Affairs Advisor, PGPA of the Oil and Gas major, Mr. Happy Apai, described the donation as a triumph of partnership with their host communities.

From left: Happy Apai, Joseph Wuruyai, Joseph Abilo & others 

He commended the current leadership of EGCDF, “for its unyielding resolve in fulfilling the objectives of the GMoU and building on the solid foundation laid by their first three leaderships”.

"It would interest you to note that, CNL has continuously invested in the GMoU since its inception in 2005. This investment has led to roughly 600 programmes that have provided scholarships, built new schools, medical facilities and housing and supported the development of Agriculture and improvement of infrastructure", Mr. Brikinn, noted.

The PGPA Boss, noted: “Chevron is seeking stronger partnership in the reduction of environmental degradation”, by increasing advocacy against crude oil theft and vandalism.

According to him: “CNL supports global efforts to reduce flaring and carbon emissions and will continue to invest in our operations to improve environmental performance, while working with industry to develop new innovations and best practices”.

He stressed that the company has made some strides against the twin evil of crude oil theft and pipeline vandalism, through the Pipeline Flow-line Surveillance Programme, PFSP, but need to work with other stakeholders to ensure more efficiency.

From Left: Prince Moses Fregene, Happy Apai, Douglas Ibigo, Dr. Omu & Dr. Idolor, during the medical equipment handover at Itsekiri RDC Secretariat, Warri

"We thank the Delta State Government for always supporting the GMoU. CNL is proud to be part of this. We believe that our business success is tied to the progress and prosperity of the people we collaborate with and the communities where we work. Everywhere we work, we demonstrate ethical, environmentally responsible, safe and respectful business practices. We also contribute to the achievement of the SDGs. As we would say, we are in the business of driving human progress.

"Our primary contribution is by safely developing and delivering affordable and reliable energy that is necessary for social and economic progress. Additionally, we contribute through our work in protecting people and the environment and by investing in health, education and economic development," Brikinn, stated.

Mr. Brikinn, also appreciated traditional rulers of Egbema-Gbaramatu kingdoms and Warri kingdom as well as the entire people for their commitment and support in actualizing the objectives of the GMoU.

CNL expressed confidence, saying given the mutual trust already engendered between it and the kingdoms as well as communities near its operations, it will continue to ensure peaceful environment for business activities so that all the stakeholders will continue to benefit from its operations in Delta State.

Delta State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Ononyi Mordi, who was represented by the Medical Director, Central Hospital, Warri, Dr. Patrick Omu,  Director-General of Delta State Contributory Health Care Commission, Dr. Ben Nkechika and the Matron, Warri Medical Zone, Mrs. Helen Odigie, said the government was happy to always partner with people and environment-friendly companies like Chevron. 

Dr. Mordi, pledged that the state government would ensure the healthcare equipment get down to the exact end users in the creeks and also urged the recipient hospitals, to put them into quick and judicious use.

From Right: Prince Fregene, Happy Apai, Mrs. Odigie, Dr. Omu, Dr. Ogona, Emma Adun & others 

Receiving the items on behalf of the communities, Chairman of EGCDF, Joseph Wuruyai, and Public Relations Officer, PRO of Itsekiri RDC, Prince Moses Orubu Fregene (who stood in for the Chairman of IRDC) thanked the management of Chevron Nigeria Limited, the state government and other stakeholders, for the donations as well as care for the well-being of the people. 

They promised to ensure judicious use of the healthcare equipment and maintain them to the benefit of the Itsekiri and Ijaw host communities, who cannot travel to Warri to access secondary healthcare.

The MD, Toronto Hospital, Nigeria, Dr. Emeka Eze, Mr. Truston Gbenekama, Chevron personnel, Douglas Ibigo and Kayode Adeboye, Treasurer of IRDC, Emma Adun, EGCDF General Secretary, Joseph Abilo and PRO of EGCDF, Markson Aboh, were among dignitaries at the events.

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