Nigeria LNG Limited (NLNG) on Sunday, 24 th May, 2020, received the Honourable
Commissioner for Health, Rivers State, Professor Princewill Chike, who led a
delegation to inspect the company’s medical facilities and to assess its readiness in
the fight against COVID-19 pandemic in the State.
The Commissioner, who was received by NLNG’s General Manager Production,
Adeleye Falade, inspected the Holding Centre at NLNG Residential Area Hospital
and the Bonny Zonal Hospital Holding Centre, which was recently donated by NLNG.
Professor Chike commended NLNG for being responsive to the needs of the State in
the containment efforts against COVID-19 and assured of the State Government’s
continuous support for its operations.
He condemned the use of social media to create unnecessary panic on the Island
and urged all those who are in the habit of posting unverified stories on social media
to desist from the practice.
He remarked that health officials were in Bonny to examine and take samples from
persons who were alleged to have reported symptoms consistent with a resistant
strain of malaria and typhoid, adding that the results will be ready soon. He said the
causes of malaria and typhoid are well known and advised anyone who feels unwell
to visit the hospital for investigation and treatment.
Unveiling the plaque for the Bonny Zonal Hospital 10-Bed Holding Centre to formally
declare it open for public use, he described it as a well-equipped centre that can be
upgraded to a treatment centre in the future.
The Commissioner stated that the facilities were adequate for handling any Covid-19
case ahead of evacuation to a designated treatment facility.
Welcoming the delegation, Falade said the holding centres were part of the
company’s response to COVID-19. He commended the State Government for
supporting the actions meant to help manage the pandemic.
He added that NLNG’s contribution to the fight against the Corona Virus is in line
with its vision of “…helping to build a better Nigeria”.
Other programs to boost the healthy well-being of residents of Bonny Island include
the Bonny Malaria Eradication Programme, instituted in 2019 to reduce malaria-
related mortality among women and children between the ages of zero to five and to
make Bonny Island Nigeria’s first malaria-free zone, and the Bonny Community
Health Insurance Programme, a scheme established to ease financing and access to
quality health care on the Island. Some 1,393 residents have enrolled in the
insurance programme.
Other members of the NLNG delegation at the visit include the manager Community
Relations and Sustainable Development, Mr Godson Dienye; the Chief Medical
Director, Dr Okuns Ohiosimuan; and Head, Government Relations, Rivers State,
Michael Igoni.
