The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited and First Exploration and Petroleum Development Company Limited Joint Venture have supported 11 host communities in Bayelsa State with healthcare services.
The free healthcare, which was part of the corporate social responsibility of the NNPC/First E&P OML 83 and 85 Joint Venture, reached over 3,400 residents in Koluama 1, Koluama 2, Ekeni, Fishtown, Foropa, Ezetu 1, Ezetu 2, Sangana, Oginibiri, Okumbiri, and Okumbiribeleu.
According to a statement from First E&P on Wednesday, the five-day programme, which ended on February 28, involved free health checks, laboratory tests, treatments, eye care, dental services and distribution of mosquito nets.
The Head of Social Performance, First E&P, Ayebatonye Basuo, stated that the initiative was implemented following a needs assessment carried out in the host communities.
According to Basuo, the outreach aligns with First E&P’s commitment to deliver high-impact social performance initiatives aimed at creating a better, sustainable future for our host communities, especially those that do not have hospitals.
Also, the Chief Upstream Investment Officer of NNPC Upstream Investment Management Services, Bala Wunti, noted that the initiative was designed to provide quality healthcare for people in the host communities.
He remarked that the intervention would help prevent and reduce cases of malaria, dental problems, and permanent loss of vision by providing early diagnosis, free reading glasses and consumables for all related diseases.
“This is the second time that NNPC/First E&P Joint Venture initiated the health outreach to our host communities in Bayelsa State,” he said.
The Director of Medical Services, Ministry of Health, Bayelsa State, Dr Ngowari Torunana, congratulated the joint venture for the intervention to alleviate the suffering of the downtrodden, saying the government would create an enabling environment for private sector participation in the health sector.
In his response, the Amadabo of Moko-Ama Sangana Kingdom, Moses Theophilus, commended the NNPC/First E&P JV on the intervention, stressing that all the people of the community appreciate the contribution.
SOURCE: PUNCHNG
