The bill for the Establishment of a Federal Medical Centre, Bonny, Rivers State is now gathering momentum as critical stakeholders, at a one day public hearing held at the House of Representatives, Thursday, threw their weight behind the proposed law.
In his presentation, sponsor of the bill and member representing Degema/ Bonny Federal Constituency, Hon. Doctor Farah Dagogo, lamented the health care neglect Bonny kingdom was facing despite being host to the multi-billion dollar Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas, NLNG and other multinationals.
He expressed concern that despite the surge in population occasioned by the increased industrial activities, especially the construction of the Train 7 and the attendant influx of foreigners, there is near absence of health facilities in the area.
” No medical centre in the area (Bonny) can withstand an outbreak of serious epidemic or hazards caused by industrial or social related activities. The absence of a good health care facility is a concern to the residents, and this has led to vociferous calls and clamour for the provision of an improved health care system, hence, this bill, which seeks to establish a Federal Medical Centre in Bonny, Rivers State in order to assuage the health needs of the people, given its peculiar location, and the related industrial activities ongoing in the Island, ” he added.
He referenced the height of the COVID-19 and the helplessness Bonny people were made to grapple with and appealed to the participants to correct the wrong of the past by supporting the passage of the bill.
” Bonny Island experienced greatly the negative impacts of COVID 19, occasioned by the influx of foreigners. The surge in cases of COVID 19 pandemic, couple with the case of death of strange fishes found around Bonny – Andoni waterway led to many deaths in the Island that even attracted the attention of the both Chambers of the National Assembly. These two issues stretched the primary health care centres in the area and human security was therefore at risk, ” he explained.
Speaking at the hearing, Minister of State for Health, Dr. Olorunnimbe Mamora commended federal lawmakers for yearning to the needs of their constituents. He however said the ministry is facing paucity of funds that could be hindrance to the establishment of a medical centre.
The position of the minister was however, countered by the delegation of Bonny Representatives that included two former federal lawmakers, Randolph Brown and Tonye Tamuno LongJohn.
Reading the position of Bonny people at the hearing, leader of the delegation, Chief Charles Jumbo said by virtue of what Bonny contributes to the country in terms of revenue and the absence of any Federal Medical Centre in Rivers State, ‘ Bonny has what it takes and deserves a medical centre’.
On their part, the Assistant Director, Legal, Federal Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Mrs. Ati Amali, said the ministry is not opposed to the idea of a medical centre provided it fulfilled all legislative processes.
