Yemisi Izuora
The Managing Director of the Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas, NLNG, Mr. Tony Attah, has said that since the beginning of the COVID-19 spread in the country, the company has made several interventions to support the Rivers State efforts in containing the spread of the virus especially in Bonny Island, the operational base of the plant.
Attah, during a meeting with the Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike on Monday explained that as a company, the NLNG, triggered critical preventive measures in its operations very early and promptly initiated engagements with relevant Rivers State and Bonny Local Government authorities.
The objective, Attah explained was to proactively identify urgent intervention programmes to ensure the safety of all lives on Bonny Island.
The outcome of these engagements brought Nigeria LNG to the forefront of implementing interventions in the Kingdom and included: food palliatives for the community to alleviate hardship in the midst of restrictions on movement and business activities.
It also supported the establishment of a well-equipped ten-bed Holding Centre for Covid-19 patients at the Bonny Zonal Hospital to accommodate a potential outbreak and need for isolation. The facility is presently being upgraded to a Treatment Centre on the advice of Rivers State Government.
The MD also recalled sundry donations of medical equipment and PPEs to Bonny Zonal Hospital as well as strategic and tactical support to Bonny Local Government Council on enlightenment and risk communication against Covid-19 in the Kingdom.
He said donations of vehicles and sundry medical equipment was also made to Rivers State as well as a pledge of US$1Million to support Rivers State University Teaching Hospital in the fight against Covid-18.
“We acknowledge that our interventions will not solve all the problems of this public health crisis. However, it signifies Nigeria LNG’s determination to support the State and in particular, the people of Bonny Kingdom.” said Attah.
He further recalled that well ahead of this pandemic, Nigeria LNG had commenced plans to strengthen health care delivery in Bonny Kingdom and the State.
These plans included the: Bonny Comprehensive Health Insurance Programme: Bringing health care to the reach of those who cannot ordinarily afford it. The scheme now has over 1400 subscribers.
He also mentioned the Bonny Malaria Elimination Programme which currently in its pre-elimination phase, and which will afford Bonny the status of the first Malaria/mosquito free city in Nigeria, if not in West Africa.
Call to Action/Closing Thoughts
“We remain resolved in our belief, that Coronavirus will be defeated in Nigeria. The aspiration of all of us here, is that Bonny will not only overcome but will truly flourish. It will be healthy, peaceful and continue to enjoy economic prosperity. Its success will be emblematic of the life-long partnerships we all share with this great Kingdom.” he added.