Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara says the development paradigm that characterizes the policy thrust of the Chairman of Bonny Local Government Area of the State, Anengi Claude-Wilcox aligns with his ‘People First’ mantra.

Fubara, who gave this commendation on Wednesday, June 5, 2024 at Green’s Iwoama in Bonny LGA while commissioning a Primary Healthcare Centre built and christened “Tamunonengiyeofori” by the Anengi Claude-Wilcox led administration in the area, noted that the ‘People First’ mantra is driven by love for the people.

Represented by the State Commissioner for Health, Adaeze Oreh, the Governor stated that the projects delivered by the Bonny LGA Chairman spoke to the strategic needs of the people, and stands commended by him.

“Permit me to once again congratulate and commend the Executive Chairman of Bonny Local Government, Dame Hon. Anengi Barasua Claude-Wilcox, DSSRS, JP, for not just this project but for the numerous people-centered and focused projects in alignment with His Excellency, Governor Siminialayi Fubara’s mantra of ‘People First’.”

“People First will always ensure that every project speaks to the needs of the people and succeeds for the growth of the people. Congratulations, I commend you. Congratulations to the people of Green’s Iwoama and congratulations to the good people of Grand Bonny Kingdom.”

The Governor urged the people Green’s Iwoama and the adjoining communities that are beneficiaries of the Primary Healthcare Centre to own the project, enjoining them to ensure its sustainability, assuring that State Ministry of Health will do its part in ensuring it remains functional and beneficial to the people.

“This project is for the good of the people. This project will be enjoyed by not less than nine communities around Greens Iwoama community. Take this project as your own project. The success of this project will rest on the fact that the community takes ownership of the project, sees it as their own project and value and cherish it.”

“On the part of the State Government, we will do all that is needful to ensure the functionality of this well-meaning, grand initiative for the people of the grand Bonny Kingdom.

“We have here, the Rivers State Primary Healthcare Management Board that will see to it that there is sufficient staffing and operations will commence for the good, health and wellbeing of the people of grand Bonny Kingdom.”

Earlier on her way to Green’s Iwoama, the Health Commissioner had paid an unscheduled visit to the Zonal Hospital, Bonny, formerly known as the General Hospital, Bonny, where she made an assessment of the state of the facility and also received briefings from the health officials there.

She assured that Zonal Hospital, Bonny would be scaled up to serve as a proper referral centre for the Green’s Iwoama Primary Health Centre, as well as others across the LGA.

“Part of the functionality of any Primary Healthcare Center is that when there are complications, there is somewhere that they can go.

“I can assure you that we will be taking the necessary actions to ensure that there is a quality referral centre for this Primary Health Care Center in a befitting Bonny General Hospital that will fit the Local Government and Local Governments surrounding Bonny.”

On her part, the Chairman of Bonny LGA, Anengi Claude-Wilcox regretted that Green’s Iwoama, and her neighbouring communities of Beresiri, Ishile-Ogono Jumbo, William-Jumbo, Dan-Jumbo, Banigo Ishile-Ogono, Georgekiri, Amalgamated Arugbana-Ama, Otobie, Ererekiri, and many other settlements around the axis had suffered due to lack of access to healthcare.

She announced that their days of suffering are over with the inauguration of the project, urging the beneficiaries to own, protect and maintain the newly commissioned health center for optimal benefits, promising that the needed manpower will be provided to run the facility.

She further noted that it will render essential services in antenatal, labour delivery, immunization, HIV, non-communicable diseases, family planning and free Medicare for vulnerable persons.

“Distinguished ladies and gentlemen for many years, access to quality primary healthcare has been a challenge and indeed looked impossible for our people of Green’s Iwoama and the neighboring communities of Beresiri, Ishile-Ogono Jumbo, William-Jumbo, Dan-Jumbo, Banigo Ishile-Ogono, Georgekiri, Amalgamated Arugbana-Ama, Otobie, Ererekiri, and many other settlements around this axis.

“Many of you, including heavily pregnant women, sick and the aged had to travel to Bonny Island for basic medical services. This not only placed a strain on your time and resources, but also potentially delayed critical treatment that sometimes result to death. I want to announce to you, that challenge ends today!

“This state-of-the-art health centre that can be called a Cottage Hospital stands before you, equipped with modern facilities such as Male and Female Wards; Doctor’s Consulting Room; Casualty Treatment Room; Treatment Room; Labour Room; Doctor’s Residence; Nurses Residence; Pharmacy; General Administration Office; Patients’ Arrival/Waiting Hall; Kitchen; Male/Female Conveniences and Security Guards Post to mention a few and it is fully equipped.”

She went on to deliver a scorecard of her administration’s performance in the past three years, which include projects such as the Mini Estate at Government Lodge Wing ‘B’, brand new Bonny Integrated Recruitment Center Secretariat Complex, Construction of Amariari Bridge, Construction of Abraham-Hart Motorable Bridge, Renovation of the Bonny Customary Court, Construction of Bishop Gabriel Pepple Road, Renovation of the FSP Women Craft Development Complex, presentation of grants to Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMEs) around the LGA, Construction of the Bonny Ultra-Modern Market, Provision of Coaster buses for Free School Transportation Initiative, provision of three brand new HiAce buses for the 9th Bonny Legislative Assembly, the Protocol/Media Unit, and Bonny Employment Monitoring Team, amongst others.

Earlier, the Community Development Committee (CDC) Chairman of Green’s Iwoama, Emmanuel Green expressed appreciation to the Bonny LGA Chairman, Anengi Claude-Wilcox for prioritizing the provision of proper healthcare services to the people of the area.

He emphasized the pivotal role of the Primary Healthcare Center in the community, stressing that it would ensure access to quality healthcare services which would ensure good living condition in the community.

Highlights of the event were the commissioning of the Primary Healthcare Centre, dance performance by different groups, awards presentation by the youth body of the community and the Abara Dance display.