For its commitment to the health of the people of his people as demonstrated in different programmes targeted at the wellbeing of indigenes and residents of Bonny Local Government Area of Rivers State, the Amanyanabo and Natural Ruler of Bonny Kingdom has commended the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas Limited (NLNG).

His Majesty, King Edward Asimini William Dappa Pepple III, CON, DSSRS, JP, Edward I, Perekule XI, gave this commendation on Saturday, December 16, 2023 during the 4th anniversary of the Bonny Community Health Insurance Programme (BCHIP) at Ibani-Se Hall, Akiama, Bonny, Rivers State.

The monarch, who was represented by the Vice Chairman of the Bonny Chiefs Council (BCC), Se-Alabo Hanniel Jack-Wilson Pepple, extolled the company for making the programme succeed, asserting that the future of BCHIP assured, informing that the programme has been on regular agenda of the BCC.

“To the glory of God we are here today to say thank you to God Almighty and also appreciate BCHIP and in appreciating BCHIP, we will not fail to appreciate the NLNG and the Rivers State government.”

“I want to sincerely thank you for making this programme a success. I believe that this programme is a success of four years uninterruptedly. The future of this programme by the grace of God is assured.”

“BCHIP is rated because His Majesty understands importance of health. BCHIP designed to assist our people to access medical care at an affordable cost and this has been achieved in the years that the programme has been running.”

In her goodwill message, Chairman of Bonny LGA, Dame Anengi Claude-Wilcox, who was represented by her Vice, Omoni Longjohn praised the management of BCHIP on its 4th anniversary, saying it has been a successful four years, noting that “BCHIP is very cheap, sells itself, and people understand it,” adding that “there is no better gift than BCHIP that we can give to anyone”.

She stated that the programme has BCHIP helped improve facilities and the capacity of health workers, pointing out that BCHIP is akin to global initiatives for healthcare service delivery, noting that the Abalamabie Health Centre now has modern facilities and dedicated workers because of BCHIP, urging residents to register with BCHIP.

In his remarks, the Managing Director of NLNG, Dr. Philip Mshelbila, who was represented by the Manager, Community Relations, Charles Epelle described the 4th anniversary of BCHIP as an “auspicious occasion”, noting that the programme is aimed at assuring and insuring the health of communities in Bonny LGA.

Acknowledging that it was no mean feat sustaining the programme for four years, the NLNG boss observed that health is wealth as such the objective of the programme far outweighs the constraints of sustaining it, reiterating the commitment of his company to keep it going.

On his part, Chairman of the BHCIP Board of Trustees, Se-Alabo Charles John-Jumbo said the programme, which is an initiative of the Amanyanabo of Bonny Kingdom and NLNG, has, so far, recorded 297 deliveries, out of which 57 were Caesarean Sections, and 71 successful surgeries.

He stated that BCHIP, which aims to bring universal healthcare in with the World Health Organization (WHO) requirement to the people, has helped to strengthen public health facilities and improved quality of health services in Bonny LGA.

“We’re not doing this alone; we’re partners with Rivers State Government, which has given us its facilities to use. BCHIP is a Public Private Partnership initiative designed to help people manage scarce resources and have access to quality and affordable healthcare.

“The service is scalable as the cost is designed to be accessible even at emergency situations. It has continued to impact communities in terms of healthcare service delivery. People with diverse ailments have benefited from programme.

In her remarks, Woman Leader of Bonny Kingdom, Helen Pepple appealed to the management of BCHIP to prioritise the rural and riverine areas, observing that the air around Bonny Island is polluted as well as the villages, asserting that the healthcare services being provided should also cover the women in the remote areas of the LGA.

Certificates of recognition were presented to companies, chieftaincy houses, organizations and individuals that have demonstrated commitment to the programme by registering beneficiaries, as well as service providers which have delivered optimum services to beneficiaries.

These include Bonny Local Government Council, Jack-Wilson Pepple Chieftaincy House, Amanyanabo of Bonny Kingdom, Axa Mansard Health Limited, Synergy Wellcare Medicaid Limited, Great Heart Limited, Victory Crown Limited, Kristina Business Consult Limited, Bonny Utility Company, Bonny Vocational Centre, Malaria Elimination Programme, amongst others.