Nigerian Govt approves N59.7 bn for two oil-producing communities in Rivers State

Oredola Adeola

The Nigerian Government has approved a total of N59.7 billion, comprising of N41.4 billion for the construction of a centre of excellence which would be used for environmental restoration in the Kana Local Government Area and another N18.3 billion for the construction of a specialist hospital for the people of Ogoni community, both in Rivers State.

Mohammed Abdullahi, Minister of Environment, made this known at the end of the Federal Executive Council weekly meeting, presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari, on Wednesday.

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Abdullahi said that the N59.7 billion projects were aimed at facilitating efficient and cost-effective approaches to contamination management and environmental restoration, with the commitment of the government to improve the well-being and welfare of the people who have been impacted by the negative impacts of environmental degradation affected communities.

The Minister said, “On behalf of the Ministry of Environment, HYPREP Project Office, I presented two memos one for the award of a contract for the construction of Centre of Excellence for environmental restoration at Wiiyaakara, Bori in, in Khana local government area of River State, in favour of CCECC Nigeria Limited, in the sum of N41,472,263,848.60, with a completion period of 24 months.

“The second memo, which is equally approved, which is also in line with the UNEP Report on the level components, is the contract for the construction of Ogoni 100-bed specialist hospital in favour of Messrs Tannit Medical Engineering Limited, in the sum of N18,308,463,225.37, plus 7.5% of VAT, with a delivery period of 24 months,”  the Minister of Environment said.

EnergyDay’s check showed that the 100-bed specialist hospital is expected to be established in Tai Local Government Areas of the state with modern facilities including bio-data transmission and telemedicine.