By: Sunday Ameh
Poroye made the commitment during an inspection visit to the project site, where he also disclosed that the commission had engaged MedShare International, a United States-based humanitarian nonprofit organisation, to support the facility with modern medical equipment as part of efforts to strengthen healthcare delivery in the oil-producing communities of the state.
MedShare International works to improve healthcare in underserved communities around the world through the donation of medical supplies and support for global health programmes. Its interventions focus on areas such as primary healthcare, maternal and child health, infectious disease prevention, disaster relief, and emergency medical assistance.
Speaking during the visit, Poroye said the current leadership of the commission has adopted a deliberate policy of completing inherited projects instead of abandoning them to initiate new ones.
According to him, several communities within OSOPADEC’s mandate areas are still dealing with numerous abandoned projects initiated by previous administrations.
“When we came on board, one of our major concerns was how to complete ongoing projects rather than starting new ones. In Mahin Town, for instance, there are about four abandoned school buildings within the same compound. Ordinarily, the community does not even need more than two structures there, but because every leader wanted to start a new project rather than complete the previous one, we now have several uncompleted buildings. There was no continuity,” he said.
The OSOPADEC chairman explained that the commission is now prioritising project completion and efficient service delivery across the oil-rich region.
He added that the commission has completed seven jetties across its mandate areas within a short period through the engagement of committed contractors.
“We have completed several jetties within a short time. Unlike before when it took one or two years to complete a single jetty, our contractors now mobilise immediately and complete the projects within a few weeks,” he said.
Poroye described the Agadagba-Obon General Hospital as a critical healthcare facility expected to serve residents of the Arogbo Ibe Ijaw axis and neighbouring communities, noting that the project remains a key priority of the state government.
“This hospital is a major priority for the governor because it will serve thousands of people within the Arogbo Ibe Ijaw axis and its environs. Accessibility here is mainly by water, and that is why we are also working on clearing water routes and improving access to the facility,” he stated.
He also stressed that the commission remains open to partnerships with intervention agencies and international organisations willing to support the hospital project through the donation of medical equipment and other healthcare resources.
In his remarks, the Permanent Secretary of OSOPADEC, Festus Adewale Omomowo, described the inspection visit as an important step toward ensuring the completion and effective utilisation of the hospital.
“It is a great pleasure for me to be here today. This is the first project I am visiting, and I must say that the chairman is deeply passionate about the development of the mandate areas,” he said.
Omomowo noted that the commission remains committed to achieving its corporate objectives in line with the development vision of the Lucky Aiyedatiwa administration.
“At the end of the day, we all share a corporate goal which aligns with the mission and vision of the governor to improve the lives of the people. The governor is very passionate about this project and wants to ensure that the hospital becomes fully operational,” he said.
He added that government alone cannot shoulder all developmental responsibilities, stressing the need for collaboration with development partners and organisations willing to support healthcare initiatives.
Omomowo also highlighted the importance of the hospital in addressing maternal health challenges in the riverine communities.
“In many of these areas, pregnancy should not be a death sentence. Unfortunately, without proper medical facilities, many lives could be lost. This hospital will help address that challenge and safeguard the future of our children and communities,” he said.
He assured visiting partners that necessary measures are being put in place to prepare the facility for the installation of equipment, including the construction of perimeter fencing and the provision of adequate security.
Also speaking during the visit, the Chairman of the Ondo State Hospital Management Board, Olusegun Ategbole, noted that the project has the potential to attract support from international charitable organisations once its progress becomes more visible.
“The important thing now is to reach out to charity organisations. When they see what is happening here and the kind of facility that is being put in place, they will be willing to partner with us. This project has the potential to attract very strong support,” he said.
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