COVID-19: NNPC/Chevron JV donates PCR Lab Centre to Delta

The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC)/Chevron Nigeria Ltd Joint Venture (CNL) on Tuesday donated a Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) laboratory facility to Warri Central Hospital to support the fight against COVID-19 pandemic in Delta State.

The provision of the state-of-art molecular laboratory testing centre with a brand new PCR machine brings COVID-19 testing centres to two in the state, the first being located in Federal Medical Centre, Asaba.

Also donated to the new centre at Warri Central Hospital were test kits, medical consumables, five air conditioners, refrigerators and a 50-KVA soundproof generating set as well as the renovation of the four-bedroom laboratory building.

Speaking at the handing over ceremony of the state-of-the-art facility, General Manager, Policy, Government and Public Affairs of CNL, Esimaje Brikinn, said the gesture was a part of the overall contributions of CNL to the fight against COVID-19.

He added that the donation would ensure early detection of COVID-19 cases for isolation and treatment in Warri and environs.

“The aim is to support the government in the fight against the spread of COVID-19 in Delta by enhancing early detection of cases for isolation and treatment within Warri and environs. This is why we’re fully involved in the NNPC-led initiative to provide both tactical and strategic support to the coordinated efforts of government in the fight against COVID-19 in our country by halting its spread,” he noted.

Brikinn, who was represented by Area Manager, PGPA Field Operations, Warri, Sam Daibo lauded the leadership of the Delta State government in the coordination of the oil and gas sector’s response in the containment of the virus in the state.

Director of Health Services/CEO Delta State Hospital Management Board and representative of the Delta State Commissioner for Health, Dr Mrs. F. E. Omoraka, lauded NNPC/Chevron JV for adding another molecular laboratory testing lab to the one in Asaba.

“With this new centre, people can now walk in and be tested for COVID-19. Thanks Chevron for this kind gesture”, she said. The Commissioner called on other Corporate bodies in Delta State to emulate Chevron.

Pledging a judicious use and discreet maintenance of the centre, Dr Omaraka further thanked NNPC/Chevron JV for their earlier provision of an ambulance, a ventilator, test kits, PPEs and medical consumables as well as three buses for contact- tracing activities to the state government.

An elated Chief Medical Director (CMD), Warri Central Hospital, Dr Paul Okubor, said with the new molecular laboratory, results of COVID-19 samples, which usually took 72 hours from Asaba, will be provided faster.

It would be observed that CNL has been a responsive and responsible corporate citizen in Niger Delta and Nigeria at large.

The Company’s focus areas include: Education, Health and Economic development.
On its website, the Company explained that it adopted the Global Memorandum of Understanding as a new approach to community engagement in the Niger Delta, giving communities a greater role in managing their development through Regional Development Committees.

Since then, it has spent more than $118 million on roughly 600 programs that have provided scholarships; built new schools, medical facilities and housing; and supported agriculture development and infrastructure improvements.