Navy extends free medical services to Bayelsa rural communities

The Central Naval Command (CNC) on Saturday said it would focus its monthly medical outreach on rural coastal communities in Bayelsa. The service disclosed this in Sabagreia, saying the effort was part of its effort to promote cordial relationship with its host communities. A medical team comprising doctors, pharmacists, ophthalmologists and other medical personnel provided a full day service at Sabagreia community in Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government Area. Speaking at the occasion, Rear Admiral Mohammed Garba, Flag Officer Commanding (FOC), CNC, said that the emphasis on rural communities was due to obvious lack of access to health services in the area. Garba said the Command remained committed to building cordial relationships with host communities by providing humanitarian services to them. The FOC also said that the Command had visited more than seven communities in the state, adding that the exercise was equally carried out in other states under the CNC. He urged the people to support the Navy in its efforts to check oil theft and prevent sabotage on oil installations and crude oil bearing pipelines within their communities. Chief Geoffrey Yanga, a retired Rear Admiral, who hails from the area, urged the people to desist from oil theft and pipeline vandalism as this often resulted to self-inflicted adverse consequences. He noted that the military’s support to host communities by rendering medical services to them was commendable. Yanga urged the people to embrace peace and always give useful information to the Navy so as to secure the waterways and rid them of criminalities. Chief Bokumo Orukari, traditional ruler of Sabagreia community, lauded the Navy for the gesture and noted that it was the first of such programme during his reign in the area. Orukari pledged the cooperation and support of the community to the Navy units operating to secure oil facilities and the coastal communities. He appealed to the Navy to establish a military check point at the tip/cape of Wilberforce Island to check criminal activities there.