Perturbed by the infrastructural deficit in the Ijaw-populated riverine area of the Niger Delta, the Catholic Diocese of Bomadi has embarked on the building of an ultra-modern hospital, School of Nursing and a Joint Admission and Matriculation Board, JAMB, examinations centre in Bomadi, headquarters of Bomadi local government area of Delta State.
Unveiling the ongoing projects at Olomu-bou, Bomadi, yesterday, the Bishop Catholic Diocese of Bomadi, Most Rev. Hyacinth Egbebo, said the church had taken cognizance of the dearth of infrastructural facilities in the oil-rich riverine area, hence, the decision to embark on the projects.
Egbebo said: “The Catholic Church here deemed it necessary to embark on these projects to deliver on the academic and medical needs of the riverine populace, who spread across Patani, Bomadi, Burutu and part of Ughelli South local government areas of Delta State, as well as neighbouring Ekeremor, Sagbama and other council areas in Bayelsa State.
“The site, which is about five hectares of land, was originally designated for a polytechnic project to be built by the diocese in collaboration with a Non-Governmental Organization, NGO, in the United Kingdom, UK. Unfortunately, one of the white men sent by the NGO from the UK was kidnapped and killed by a militant at Enekorogha in Burutu local government area of Delta State.
“As a result, the delegation left and has been dragging their feet to return. I don’t think they will come back anymore.
“So, we have decided to build a standard hospital and a School of Nursing here to cater for both the medical and academic needs of our people. It’s a known fact that medical facilities around here are below standards and we want to upgrade the standard to render qualitative services.
“The hospital project is an extension of our existing medical facility, Our Lady’s Hospital, which has been giving good medical services to the people.
“However, both the hospital and the school will be well-equipped with necessary facilities coupled with good staff welfare, where doctors’ residences and other welfare facilities will be built.
“Moreover, the JAMB centre will be completed in a short while. There are no JAMB centres here in the riverine area and it’s a necessity that our children write JAMB examinations here because it will help them better. We need medical doctors, engineers, lawyers and anybody who will contribute to our economy to also come from this area because not too many people out there will help us here.
“That’s why educating our children is crucially important and you cannot do so without JAMB examinations. For that reason, this JAMB centre and the other projects are embarked upon here by the diocese”.
Credit: Vanguard Newspaper