Shell, GE Sign On Healthcare Projects For Oloibiri

IN what is considered a commemoration of Nigeria’s centenary, Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with General Electric (GE) for a comprehensive healthcare project in Ogbia local council area, Oloibiri and its neighbouring communities, where crude oil was first discovered in the country.

  Promoters of the project say the aim is to institute fully equipped general hospital and at least four primary healthcare centres in the historic Olobiri and the neighjbouring beneficiary communities.

  A statement issued by the promoters of the project at the weekend showed that healthcare workers, who are trained to international standards, will be engaged to keep the health facilities going.

    Outgoing country chair of Shell companies in Nigeria, Mr, Mutiu Sunmonu, who spoke at a brief ceremony in Lagos, said: “Shell is sponsoring the project to mark Nigeria’s centenary and to recognise the communities where oil was first discovered in Nigeria.”    

Sunmonu said the initiative would provide Universal Health Coverage and Health System for the people of Ogbia local council. According to him, rather than dish out handouts, Shell is committed to sustaining initiatives that empower communities. He expressed satisfaction that General Electric, as project managers for the initiative, would leverage on its global pedigree as infrastructure giants to deliver a formidable project. 

   President and Chief Executive of GE Nigeria, Dr. Lazarus Angbazo, said the project is unique not only in providing healthcare infrastructure, but also by including research and training of healthcare professionals. 

    According to Angbazo, “GE is very delighted at the opportunity to deliver a project that will have a transformational impact on humanity. 

 “The impact of this project is not only on the physical infrastructure and the provision of healthcare services to the people of Oloibiri and neighboring communities, but also in the inherent employment opportunities that this initiative provides,” he said.