The Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) has reinforced its support for healthcare delivery in Ogoni with the donation of five ambulances to key public health facilities across the region, a move aimed at improving emergency response and strengthening patient referral systems.
The ambulances were handed over to Bori Zonal Hospital, Terabor General Hospital, Eleme General Hospital, Bodo General Hospital and Kpite Primary Health Care Centre during a ceremony held at the General Hospital, Nchia, Eleme according to the post shared on Wednesday.
Speaking at the event, the Project Coordinator of HYPREP, Professor Nenibarini Zabbey, said the intervention was designed to address critical public health challenges in Ogoni by ensuring faster access to medical care, especially during emergencies. He noted that the availability of ambulances at the community level would significantly improve timely referrals and reduce delays in accessing lifesaving services.
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Professor Zabbey explained that the donation forms part of HYPREP’s broader strategy to complement existing government health structures while delivering sustainable outcomes in line with the directives of the Federal Government through the Federal Ministry of Environment. He added that the Project would continue to work closely with the Rivers State Government and local councils in Ogoni to implement impactful health initiatives.
According to him, HYPREP remains open to partnerships across various areas of its mandate, stressing that collaboration is critical to the success, credibility and sustainability of the Project’s interventions in the region.
He also highlighted several ongoing and completed public health programmes under HYPREP, including a comprehensive public health study being conducted by the International Agency for Research on Cancer of the World Health Organisation, the construction of the 100-bed Ogoni Specialist Hospital and the 40-bed Buan Cottage Hospital, as well as regular medical outreaches and facility upgrades.
Other interventions, he said, include the strengthening of health facilities in Bori, Terabor, Eleme and Kpite through the provision of modern medical equipment such as X-ray machines, digital ultrasound systems, laboratory analysers, theatre equipment and surgical instruments. HYPREP has also supplied hospital furniture, patient support items and essential clinical accessories to improve safety and efficiency in service delivery.
In addition, Professor Zabbey disclosed that renewable energy solutions have been installed in selected health centres, including a 36-kilowatt solar power system at Bodo General Hospital and primary healthcare centres in Nonwa, Onne, Kwawa and K-Dere, to ensure uninterrupted service delivery.
Looking ahead, he said HYPREP’s 2026 policy thrust is focused on completing and operationalising major infrastructure projects, including the Ogoni Specialist Hospital, the Buan Cottage Hospital and the Centre of Excellence for Environmental Restoration, while promoting environmental sustainability and socio-economic recovery in Ogoni.
The Rivers State Commissioner for Health, Dr Adaeze Oreh, who received the ambulances on behalf of the state government, described the donation as a demonstration of HYPREP’s commitment to the well-being of Ogoni communities beyond environmental remediation. She said the intervention would strengthen referral pathways and ensure that patients can be transferred promptly to facilities where specialised care is available.
Dr Oreh assured that the Rivers State Government would continue to collaborate with HYPREP to ensure that its health interventions align with the needs of the people of Ogoni and the wider state.
