The Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) has donated five ambulances to key public health facilities across Ogoniland as part of its ongoing public health strengthening interventions.
The beneficiary facilities are Bori Zonal Hospital, Terabor General Hospital, Eleme General Hospital, Bodo General Hospital, and Kpite Primary Health Care Centre. The presentation took place on Tuesday at the General Hospital, Nchia, Eleme, Rivers State.
Speaking at the event, the Project Coordinator of HYPREP, Professor Nenibarini Zabbey, said the donation was aimed at addressing critical public health challenges in Ogoni by improving emergency medical response, strengthening patient referral systems, and ensuring timely access to lifesaving care at the community level.
According to him, the intervention further underscores HYPREP’s commitment to working in synergy with existing government structures, policies, and expertise to achieve sustainable public health outcomes in Ogoni.
“HYPREP remains committed to collaborating with the Rivers State Government and the local government councils in Ogoni in the implementation of our projects, in line with the directives of the Federal Government through the Federal Ministry of Environment. We remain open to partnerships across the various thematic areas of our mandate, as such collaborations are essential for the success, sustainability, and credibility of the Project,” Zabbey said.
The Project Coordinator highlighted other ongoing public health interventions by HYPREP, including a comprehensive public health study being conducted by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) of the World Health Organisation (WHO), the construction of a 100-bed Ogoni Specialist Hospital and a 40-bed Buan Cottage Hospital, periodic medical outreaches, and the strengthening of several health facilities across Ogoni.
He further listed interventions such as the upgrading of Bori, Terabor, and Eleme General Hospitals, as well as Kpite Primary Health Care Centre, with the installation of critical medical equipment including X-ray machines, digital ultrasound systems, chemical pathology and haematology analysers, microbiology laboratory equipment, theatre equipment, and surgical instruments.
Zabbey added that HYPREP has also provided hospital furniture, patient support equipment, and essential clinical accessories to improve safe workflows and sterilisation protocols. In addition, renewable energy support has been extended to Nonwa, Onne, Kwawa, and K-Dere Primary Health Care Centres, as well as Bodo General Hospital, through the installation of 36-kilowatt solar power systems at each facility.
He disclosed that HYPREP’s 2026 policy thrust is focused on completing and operationalising major infrastructure projects, including the Ogoni Specialist Hospital, the 40-bed Cottage Hospital, and the Centre of Excellence for Environmental Restoration, while ensuring environmental sustainability, functional facilities, and measurable socio-economic impact for the Ogoni people.
The Project Coordinator expressed appreciation to the Rivers State Commissioner for Health, Dr Adaeze Oreh, for the consistent support of the Ministry towards the success of HYPREP’s public health interventions.
In her acceptance remarks, Dr Oreh described the donation as a clear demonstration of HYPREP’s commitment to addressing the health and wellbeing of Ogoni people beyond environmental remediation.
“The donation of these five ambulances shows that HYPREP’s support for the health sector goes beyond equipping facilities. It is about building responsive and resilient systems that strengthen referral pathways and ensure patients are transferred to facilities where specialised care is available,” she said.
The Commissioner assured that the Rivers State Government would continue to work closely with HYPREP to ensure that its public health initiatives align with the needs of the people of Ogoni and the wider Rivers State.
Goodwill messages were delivered by His Royal Majesty, King (Dr) Philip Osaro Obele, Oneh-Eh Eleme XI; Rt. Hon. Emma Deeyah, Chairman, Board of Trustees, Ogoni Trust Fund Inc.; Engr. Ehioze Igbinomwanhia, Project Support Lead, Renaissance Africa Energy Company/JV; and Chief (Hon.) Obariollormate Ollor, Chairman, Eleme Local Government Area. They all commended HYPREP for what they described as a life-saving and people-centred intervention.
The event was attended by members of the HYPREP Governing Council and Board of Trustees, Zonal Representative Council members, senior officials of the Rivers State Ministry of Health, including Dr Vincent Nwachukwu, Director of Medical Services, and Dr Bright Ogbonda, Chief Medical Director, Rivers State Hospital Management Board, as well as HYPREP management and staff.
Earlier, Professor Zabbey led the Commissioner for Health on an inspection tour of the ongoing 40-bed Buan Cottage Hospital project in Khana Local Government Area.
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