Fubara Commissions Omoku Zonal Hospital, Reaffirms Commitment To Expanding Healthcare
Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to expanding access to quality healthcare services with the commissioning of the Omoku Zonal Hospital in the Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni Local Government Area.
The 105-bed secondary healthcare facility is the third zonal hospital commissioned by Governor Fubara’s administration and is designed to serve residents of the Orashi region in the Rivers West Senatorial District.
Speaking at the commissioning ceremony on Friday, Governor Fubara said the hospital was one of three zonal hospitals provided in Rivers West, noting that the facility in Ahoada had already been commissioned. According to him, the third, located in Degema, would soon be completed and commissioned.
The governor said the project was particularly important because of the critical role healthcare plays in improving the people’s well-being.
He said his administration has continued to pay attention to the welfare of residents by investing in projects capable of improving their quality of life.
Governor Fubara urged the people of Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni to take ownership of the facility and protect it from vandalism and other forms of abuse, stressing that the project was provided for their benefit.
Fubara noted that Omoku required improved healthcare services because of its rapid development and growing importance as a gas hub.
The governor disclosed that more than 10 other projects were ready for commissioning but had been deliberately set aside until he was satisfied that they had been fully completed to the required standards.
At the event, the Oba of Ogbaland, His Royal Majesty Nwachukwu Obuoha Obi III, who was the special guest, commended Fubara for the hospital project and the Elele-Egbeda-Omoku Road, which was commissioned by Vice President Kashim Shettima on Thursday.
The traditional ruler said residents of Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni had, since the assumption of office of Governor Fubara, increasingly felt a sense of belonging as part of Rivers State.
He urged the people not to listen to those he described as naysayers, stressing that the area, which he described as the headquarters of Nigeria’s hydrocarbon industry, deserved improved infrastructure and healthcare facilities.
According to him, despite the area’s enormous gas wealth, it had remained relatively underdeveloped for years.
The monarch appealed to Governor Fubara to sustain the pace of development despite the limited time remaining in his administration, noting that even one day in a person’s life could make a significant difference.
He urged the governor to do more within the remaining period of his tenure.
In his address, the Chairman of the Rivers State Hospitals Management Board, Bright Ogbonda, said the improved healthcare infrastructure being provided by the state government was attracting health workers to rural areas.
Ogbonda said medical personnel were increasingly showing interest in working in rural communities because of the availability of modern facilities and improved working environments.
The Permanent Secretary in the Rivers state Ministry of Health, Vincent Wachukwu, described the Omoku Zonal Hospital as a 105-bed secondary care facility housed in a three-storey building.
He said the project, which was awarded in 2024, also has a parking facility capable of accommodating more than 100 vehicles, as well as on-site accommodation for medical personnel.