By Ogoramaka Amos /Port Harcourt
IN a significant shift from environmental cleanup to human investment, the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) has partnered with the Rivers State Ministry of Health to dramatically upgrade emergency medical services in Ogoniland.
Marking a new phase in its mission, HYPREP handed over five fully equipped ambulances to key government health facilities across the region. The beneficiaries are the Bori Zonal Hospital, Terabor General Hospital, Eleme General Hospital, Bodo General Hospital, and the Kpite Primary Health Care Centre.
During the handover ceremony, HYPREP’s Project Coordinator, Professor Nenibarini Zabbey, stated that the donation is a critical intervention to bridge emergency response gaps. “These vehicles will improve emergency response, strengthen patient referral systems, and ensure the Ogoni people have timely access to lifesaving medical care,” he said.
Prof. Zabbey emphasized that the move aligns with the Federal Government’s goal of bolstering existing health infrastructure. He reiterated HYPREP’s commitment to working closely with the Rivers State Government and local councils to ensure the sustainability of health outcomes for Ogoni communities.
The ambulance deployment is part of a broader healthcare transformation spearheaded by HYPREP. The project has recently installed state-of-the-art digital X-ray systems, ultrasound machines, and laboratory analysers across various facilities. To combat unreliable power supply, 36-kilowatt solar systems have been commissioned at hospitals in Bodo and Onne, ensuring these vital machines remain operational.
Major health infrastructure projects are also advancing. Work is ongoing on the 100-bed Ogoni Specialist Hospital and the 40-bed Buan Cottage Hospital. Prof. Zabbey outlined that HYPREP’s policy focus leading to 2026 is squarely on completing these projects to deliver a measurable, positive impact on residents’ lives.
Rivers State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Adaeze Oreh, welcomed the partnership, noting it builds a more resilient health system. “This gesture ensures patients can be moved efficiently to where specialized care is available. It clearly moves HYPREP’s mission beyond land remediation to the critical area of human well-being,” Dr. Oreh stated.
