The Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) has donated five ambulances to assist public health facilities in Ogoni.
The beneficiary facilities were Bori Zonal Hospital, Terabor General Hospital, Eleme General Hospital, Bodo General Hospital and Kpite Primary Health Care Centre.
Speaking during the hand over ceremony at the General Hospital, Nchia, Eleme, the Project Coordinator of HYPREP, Professor Nenibarini Zabbey said the gesture will address public health challenges in Ogoni, significantly enhance response to medical emergencies at the community level, strengthen patient referral systems and ensure timely access to lifesaving care for the people.
Prof. Zabbey noted that the donation of the ambulances and other Project’s interventions, further demonstrate HYPREP’s commitment to synergise with existing government structures, policies and expertise towards achieving sustainable public health outcomes in Ogoni.
He added that the agency will continue to work with the Rivers State Government and Local Government Councils in Ogoni to implement its projects and activities in line with the directives of the Federal Government.
“HYPREP remains open to collaborations and partnerships across various thematic areas of our mandate. Such collaboration is essential to ensuring the Project’s overall success, sustainability, and credibility”, he said.
The Project Coordinator highlighted other public health intervention programmes executed by HYPREP, they include the ongoing public health study conducted by the International Agency for Research on Cancer of the World Health Organisation (IARC-WHO), the construction of the 100-Bed Ogoni Specialist Hospital and the 40-Bed Buan Cottage Hospital, periodic medical outreaches, and the strengthening of some health facilities in Ogoni.
Other interventions include: strengthening of the Bori General Hospital, Terabor General Hospital, Eleme General Hospital, and Kpite Primary Health Care Centre, installation of critical medical equipment, including X-ray systems, complete digital ultrasound system, chemical pathology analysers, haematology analysers, and microbiology laboratory equipment, as well as theatre equipment and surgical instruments.
Additionally, HYPREP also provided hospital furniture, patient support equipment, and essential clinical accessories to theatre rooms and laboratories to ensure safe workflows and sterilisation protocols. The Project has also provided renewable energy support at the Nonwa, Onne, Kwawa, and K-Dere Primary Health Care Centres, as well as at Bodo General Hospital, by installing a 36-kilowatt solar power system at each facility.
According to Prof. Zabbey, HYPREP’s Policy Thrust in 2026 is focused on completing and operationalising key infrastructure projects, including the Ogoni Specialist Hospital, the 40-Bed Cottage Hospital, and the Centre of Excellence for Environmental Restoration, while ensuring environmental sustainability and the functionalities of its facilities, and to support efforts towards economic rebirth through increased stakeholder engagement, with a visible and measurable impact in the daily lives of the Ogoni people.
He thanked the Rivers State Commissioner of Health, Dr. Adaeze Oreh, for the consistent support provided by the Rivers State Ministry of Health towards the success of HYPREP’s public health intervention.
In her acceptance speech, Dr. Oreh noted that the donation connotes HYPREP’s commitment to addressing pressing community concerns -health and well-being of the people, beyond remediation of impacted land.
”The donation of these five ambulances demonstrates that HYPREP’s focus on supporting the health sector goes beyond equipping and furnishing of health facilities to building responsive and resilient systems through effective and efficient transfers that build our referral pathways and ensure the transfer of patients from places where they are to where they can receive specialised medical care that is available. Thank you, HYPREP”, she said.
The Commissioner, while commending HYPREP for its initiative, conveyed the assurances of the Rivers State Government to continue to work collaboratively with HYPREP to ensure that its public health initiatives align with the needs of the people of Ogoni and Rivers State.
In their goodwill messages, HRM King (Dr) Philip Obele, Oneh-Eh Eleme XI, Rt. Hon. Emma Deeyah, Chairman, BoT, Ogoni Trust Fund Inc., Engr. Ehioze Igbinomwanhia, Project Support Lead for Renaissance Africa Energy Company/JV, and Chief (Hon) Obariollormate Ollor, Chairman, Eleme LGA, all commended HYPREP for the initiative, describing it as life-saving and people-sensitive
The event was graced by other dignitaries, including members of HYPREP Governing Council, Board of Trustees (BoT), Zonal Representative Council, Dr. Vincent Nwachukwu, Director of Medical Services, Rivers State Ministry of Health, Dr. Bright Ogbonda, Chief Medical Director, Rivers State Hospital Management Board, Rivers State Ministry of Health, Prof. Damian-Paul Aguiyi, Director, Technical Services, Heads of Department, staff members of HYPREP, among others.
Earlier, the Project Coordinator led the Commissioner on an inspection of the 40-Bed Buan Cottage hospital in Khana LGA.
