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By Amos Odhe, Yenagoa
Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) on Thursday inaugurated Oloibiri Health Centre as part of activities lined up to commemorate the discovery of oil in commercial quantity in Oloibiri, Bayelsa State.
Speaking at the event, Mr Osagie Okunbor, SPDC’s managing director, said Oloibiri community occupies a pride of place in the history of Nigeria’s oil and gas, which necessitated the conception of Oloibiri Health Programme (OHP).
Our correspondent recalls that crude oil was first discovered in Oloibiri in commercial quantity in 1956.
Okunbor said Oloibiri Health Programme (OHP) depicts “a deliberate suite” of health projects that is aimed to achieve three broad objectives.
“It was in Oloibiri that Shell made the nation’s first commercial quantity discovery of crude oil in 1958.
“That discovery is what has positioned Nigeria as a key player, providing energy to the world, wealth to the country and abundant opportunities to the Nigerian people.
“The relationship between SPDC and Bayelsa since that discovery has grown with the expected footprints of our operations and social investments spread across the state.
“Amidst this growth, Oloibiri remains the reference point for Nigeria’s oil and gas journey.
“It is in this light that the Shell group, as part of marking Nigeria’s centenary celebrations in 2014, conceived and began the implementation of the OHP to serve as a reference point in Nigeria for sustainable Primary Health Care delivery,” he said.
Okunbor said that Oloibiri Health Programme (OHP) is a multi-phased programme with several stakeholders as partners. The partners include the Bayelsa Ministry of Health, the Ogbia Local Government authorities, Federal University Otuoke, among others.
Bayelsa State governor, Senator Douye Diri, noted that the intervention by SPDC complemented the efforts of his administration in the health sector.
He applauded SPDC for the gesture and urged other oil firms operating in the state to emulate the company, and also tasked them to reciprocate such in other senatorial districts.
Diri said Oloibiri is also great because it was the place of late Isaac Boro, the man who fought for the creation of Bayelsa and Rivers states.
He urged Oloibiri people to take the health centre seriously and ensure that they put it to use for the betterment of humanity.
“Let me appreciate SPDC and its partners for also prioritising healthcare in the state by initiating the OHP.
“This is a laudable development because it will go a long way in complementing the various steps and policies we have introduced to meet the health needs of our citizens in Ogbia Local Government Area,” he said.
Also, King Charles Owaba, the paramount ruler of Ogbia Kingdom, urged Shell to step up its efforts to ameliorate the adverse impact of oil exploration on the environment and people of the area.
Represented by Mr Ibiroma Ikuli, he said Ogbia kingdom deserve the best from Shell and Bayelsa government as the first place oil was first discovered in commercial quantity in 1956.
