Shell inaugurates phase-2 of Oloibiri health programme

Energy giant, Shell, has inaugurated the second and final phase of its comprehensive health care projects for Oloibiri and other communities in Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.

The dual-phased suite of health projects in Oloibiri, according to Osagie Okunbor, Managing Director, Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited (SPDC) and Country Chair, Shell Companies in Nigeria, is a reinforcement of the oil major’s commitment to the health and well-being of its hosts and Nigerians as a whole.

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, which provides universal health coverage for Oloibiri, where Shell’s oil and gas exploration began in Nigeria over 60 years ago, was launched in 2019. The projects were completed to fulfil Shell’s commitments in honour of Nigeria’s centennial celebrations in 2014.

Also, the first phase of the program included a renovated and fully equipped General Hospital in Kolo, as well as fully equipped laboratories at the College of Health Technology in Otuogidi and solar-powered water treatment facilities for the communities. As part of the program, 100 Ogbia indigenes were chosen for the Special Shell LiveWIRE program for economic empowerment.

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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).

“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 it is our desire to leave impactful memories here,” he said.

Douye Diri, Bayelsa State Governor, while leading other state officials to open state-of-the-art facilities, commends the energy company on the ground-breaking development.

“Corporate Social Responsibility means doing well,” he said. “You are impacting the lives of the communities, of people, and of the government of the state.”

The governor further reiterated that Shell is investing in education and in social development in Ogbia to improve the quality of life of our people.

Meanwhile, the other Shell-sponsored centenary projects are the digital library in Port Harcourt and ultramodern health facilities in different locations in Delta State.