Shell says 610,000 people in Niger Delta benefit from its ‘Health in Motion’ scheme

The shell Petroleum Development company (SPDC) on Wednesday said that more than 610,000 people in Niger Delta have benefitted from its health interventions in the past eight years.

Mr Igo Weli, General Manager, External Relations at SPDC stated this at the opening ceremony of a Community Healthcare Programme at Onopa in Yenagoa, Bayelsa capital.

Weli, who was represented by Mr Wakil Layiwola, a Manager at the External Relations Department of SPDC noted that the oil firm prioritises healthcare as a healthy population is critical to a productive workforce.

He said that the programme takes quality free healthcare services to the doorsteps of benefiting communities where it operates.

More than one thousand persons comprising children, women and adults have so far received medical attention in the 3 day event.

“The Community Care Programme was introduced over a decade ago in the Niger Delta and has since reached thousands of people across Nigeria with its free medical health component tagged ‘Health-in-Motion’. 

“In the last eight years alone, over 610,000 persons have benefited from this programme. We are here today to extend the same health care to the good people of Onopa.

“Onopa community is host to SPDC’s Gbaran W/6 location and their support has enabled SPDC to commence work-over activities that will restore facility integrity and production, towards additional oil and gas volumes in Bayelsa.

“What distinguishes the SPDC’s Health-in-Motion programme and makes is the onsite presence of doctors supported by a wide range of interventions, preventive and curative health services that are brought directly to recipients.

“We are passionate about health and safety and remain committed to extending this to the people in the communities where we operate.

“We uphold a maxim of ‘we care’ in our business and believe that healthy citizenry leads to a productive population that strengthens the economy and wealth of a nation,” Weli said.

Speaking at the event, Chief Samuel Morrison, Paramount Ruler in Onopa settlement applauded the oil firm for the intervention and urged SPDC to equip the Onopa Health Centre build by the Bayelsa government.

The monarch regretted that beyond the construction of the building, there were neither equipment nor personnel at the health centre, urging the Bayelsa Ministry of Health to deploy health workers to Onopa.

Dr Ongowari Torunana who represented the Commissioner of Health, Prof Ebitimi.Etebu pledged to table the request for health personnel before the Health Ministry.

Mrs Jane Dou, who spoke on behalf of the beneficiaries expressed gratitude and satisfaction and noted that the distribution of insecticide treated nets in the settlement behind the Epie creek would keep malaria at bay.

“We were screened for cervical/breast cancers, including cryotherapy treatments, and blood pressure, blood sugar levels and heart diseases.

“Dental care and eye tests including reading glasses and drugs were dispensed as required while laboratory testing for HIV and malaria, as well as treatment of chronic and minor ailments are available,” Dou said.

  

Flood victims along Epie creek in Yenagoa groan, appeal for assistance

Residents along the Epie creek in Yenagoa on Wednesday lamented the impact of flooding caused by the overflow of the waters from Taylor creek, tributaries of Orashi and Niger rivers.

Our Correspondent who visited the river side settlements quotes the residents as saying that the water levels rose above tolerable limits on Tuesday.

Joy Elvis, a resident at Onopa area in Yeagoa said that the people were helpless as the assistance pledged by the state government in its sensitisation messages were not in sight.

“It has not been easy, the water levels have been on the increase and it is usually expected at this time of the year, but on Tuesday the flood entered our houses and we have been under pressure.

Nwodo brokers peace in Ohanaeze Ndigbo Bayelsa chapter

The President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief Nnia Nwodo, has resolved the lingering leadership crisis in the Bayelsa chapter of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, ending many years of bikering and leadership tossle.

The protracted leadership crisis had factionalised the socio-cultural group in the area.

Chief Chinedu Arthur-Ugwa, South-South Coordinator of Ohanaeze Youth Wing, said in Yenagoa that Nwodo had summoned the feuding factions and mended fences among them.

Arthur-Ugwa applauded Nwodo for his fatherly role by listening to the grievances of the two factions and brokered peace, to pave way for the election of a new executive.

Peace Corps Bill: Bayelsa Commandant appeals to Buhari to approve takeoff

 Mr Patriot Ogomah, State Commandant, Peace Corps of Nigeria in Bayelsa says he remains hopeful that President Muhammadu Buhari would heed appeals and accent the Peace Corps bill. 

It would be recalled that President Buhari had on February 27 declined assent on Nigerian Peace Corps establishment bill , citing paucity of funds and duplication of duties of existing security agencies as main reasons.

Police raid on clark’s residence: Ohaneze Youths urge IGP go beyond apology to build public confidence

Ohanaeze Youth Wing (OYW) has urged the Inspector-General of Police, (IGP) Mr Ibrahim Idris to go beyond the apology over the illegal raid on the residence of elder statesman Chief Edwin Clark..

Chief Chinedu Arthur-Ugwa, Coordinator of OYW who made the call in an interview session on Saturday in Yenagoa noted that the apology to Clark was a welcome development.

The Police raided Clark’s house following a false information given by an unidentified taxi cab driver, who claimed the Ijaw national leader was gun-running.

Idris has since denied authorising the raid by some police inspectors now dismissed for carrying out an illegal order.

NCC restates commitment to protecting telecoms subscribers from rip off by operators

 Nigerian Communication Commission (NCC) on Thursday restated its commitment to protection of telecommunications services by telecommunication firms operating in the country.

NCC made the pledge at its t 98th Consumer Outreach Programme held in Yenagoa, Bayelsa capital.

Alhaji. Ismail Adedigba, Deputy Director of the Consumer Affairs Bureau of NCC noted that the event was to provide telecom consumers with necessary tools to protect them from market exploitation and fraud.

Adedigba, said the NCC through its regulatory mandate ensures that the consumer is the "King" as such must be accorded their rights which include the right to be heard, right to be educated, right to choose, right to

Safety.

Ijaw Youth leader, Eradiri urges Niger Delta people to seek political offices, joins House of Reps race

 Ex-President, Ijaw Youth Council, Mr. Udengs Eradiri, says that the only solution to Niger Delta problem is for the people of the region to begin to move from street agitations to taking political powers.

Eradiri stated this on Saturday shortly after submitting his Expression of Interest Form at the  Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) secretariat in Yenagoa, the state capital.

The ex-IYC leader wants to represent Kolokuma/Opokuma/Yenagoa Constituency, Bayelsa , in the House of Representatives. 

"So far so good, I have just started the process of taking  leadership. As a young man, I wouldn't have been participating in the struggles for justice in the Niger Delta and then when it is time for leadership, I will be sitting by the corner.