By Ignatius Ushie
Photo Caption
Director Housing and Urban Development Mr. Olufemi Oloruntola and Community leaders of Isiala Mbano in a group photograph during the commissioning of the Health Centre.
The Honourable Minister, Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio has stated the Ministry’s commitment towards making education and health easily accessible to rural communities across the Niger Delta region. Akpabio made this disclosure while commissioning and handing over projects executed by the Ministry in Isiala Mbano and Ikeduru local Government Areas of Imo state, adding that the ministry would also empower the youths for a better future.
The project involves the construction of Health Centre at Amuzari, Isiala Mbano LGA which is designed with Consulting Room, Male and Female wards, Pharmacy and Dispensing Unit, Laboratory treatment and Injection room, furnished offices and equipped stores.
Also the Renovation of Classroom Blocks at Nneise Technical School, Ugiri-ike, Ikeduru LGA consisting of five classrooms, two science laboratories, two Workshop Rooms, Offices and toilets.
Represented by the Director, Housing and Urban Development Mr. Olufemi Oloruntola, the Minister disclosed that the construction of classroom blocks and Health Centres are being simultaneously developed in the nine states of the region and are at various stages of development.
Akpabio noted that the projects which were in pursuance of the Ministry’s Mandate started in 2017 under the “Quick win Intervention Projects” and was initiated as a palliative approach with the aim of improving the quality of life of the people in the region. According to the Minister,
“It is worthy of note that two other completed classroom blocks and health centres furnished and equipped are also being commissioned in Delta and Bayelsa states and, more of this Quick Win Projects are still under construction, while others will commence once the 2022 Appropriation Bill is passed.
“The projects being commissioned today are some of the gains and achievements recorded by the present administration of President Muhammadu Buhari under the Change Agenda of the Federal Government,” he said.
He explained that all aspects of the project were awarded to indigenous and local contractors, maintaining that the construction process would also have benefitted the community through created employment opportunities for the youth of the host and neighbouring communities.
He pledged the unflinching commitment of the Federal Government towards redressing the inequalities that have become pervasive in the Niger Delta Region and urged the communities to be dedicated to the protection and maintenance of the facilities.
Earlier, the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs Dr. Babayo Ado informed excited community members present at the commissioning and handing over an occasion that the facilities provided by the Ministry are one out of many being developed by MNDA in each of the nine(9) Niger Delta states. While acknowledging the cooperation of the two communities, the Permanent Secretary said education and health which are rooted in the Change Agenda of Mr. President are critical components, that is why prime attention is given to them because of the far-reaching impact they will have on the life of citizens. Adding, that in spite of the obvious challenges the ministry would muster resources to ensure the completion of these projects. The Permanent Secretary was represented at the occasion by Mrs. Veronica Ekwunwa.
The beneficiaries of the two projects, His Royal Majesty Eze George A. Ebezim the Orize 3rd of Amuzari Ancient Kingdom, Isiala Mbano LGA and His Royal Highness Eze Ndise of Nnze Nkiri Autonomous Community of Ikeduru LGA, Imo state and other members of the communities at the different occasions expressed gratitude to Almighty God, the Ministry and the government.
While promising to sustain the projects, the community leaders appealed to the government to consider fixing the impassable roads in the communities.
