&Shell has launched the second and last phase of its comprehensive health care programs for Oloibiri and neighbouring communities in Bayelsa State’s Ogbia Local Government Area.
“Corporate Social Responsibility means doing well. What you have done today means you’re doing well. You are impacting the lives of the communities, of people, and the government of the state. You have done so well today, and we commend you. You are investing in education and in social development in Ogbia to improve the quality of life of our people”, Bayelsa state governor, Senator Douye Diri said at the weekend while leading other state officials to open the state-of-the-art facilities.
Mr Osagie Okunbor, managing director of the Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited (SPDC) and Country Chair of Shell Companies in Nigeria, described the dual-phased suite of health projects in Oloibiri as a reinforcement of the oil major’s commitment to the health and wellbeing of its hosts and Nigerians in general.
Okunbor said: “the projects are to serve as a reference point for sustainable primary health care delivery, which is the foundation for the attainment of the Universal Health Coverage as prescribed by the World Health Organisation (WHO)”.
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According to him, Oloibiri holds an important place because when the narration of Nigeria’s oil and gas journey is told, it will always be mentioned that here, in 1958, Shell Nigeria, made the first commercial find of hydrocarbons. Shell Companies in Nigeria, therefore, share a momentous tie with the Oloibiri community and we desire to leave impactful memories here.
The Oloibiri Health Campus at Oloibiri Town, the Drug Distribution Centre at Emeyal II, a 400-metre Oloibiri access road to the health campus, and the Ogbia Safe Maternal and Infant Care Programme are all part of phase two of the Shell Oloibiri health programme.”
The first phase of the program was launched in 2019 to provide universal health care for Oloibiri, where Shell’s oil and gas development in Nigeria began more than 60 years ago. The projects were completed to fulfil Shell’s pledges in honour of Nigeria’s centennial in 2014.
The first phase of the program includes a renovated and completely equipped General Hospital in Kolo, as well as well equipped laboratories at the College of Health Technology in Otuogidi and solar-powered water treatment facilities for the towns.
As part of the program, 100 Ogbia indigenes were chosen for the Special Shell LiveWIRE program for economic development.
Other Shell-sponsored centennial projects include a digital library in Port Harcourt and ultramodern health facilities in several Delta State locales.
