The Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) company says it is doing all in its power to ensure that Bonny Island becomes Nigeria’s first malaria-free zone through its malaria elimination programme.
This was revealed by its MD/CEO Tony Attah via the talking points of his meeting with the River State governor, Nyesom Wike, on Monday.
Attah said the company has rolled out its Bonny Malaria Elimination Programme “which is currently in its pre-elimination phase and will afford the island the status of the first malaria/mosquito free city in Nigeria, if not in West Africa, when the project is completed”.
According to Attah, the company has set to work to ensure that the island is not ravaged by the Coronavirus by distributing food palliatives to the community to alleviate hardship in the midst of restrictions on movement and business activities, establishment of a well-equipped 10-bed holding centre for Covid-19 patients at the Bonny Zonal Hospital to accommodate a potential outbreak and need for isolation, donations of medical equipment and PPEs to Bonny Zonal Hospital, strategic and tactical support to Bonny local government council on enlightenment and risk communication against Covid-19 in the Kingdom, donation 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.
Attah further assured that, though the pandemic “remains pervasive in our environment, there will continue to be need for additional medical supplies, equipment, personnel, catering, training, contact tracing and more”.
Attah called for more collaborations between government and private enterprise, so that, together, more can be achieved.
“The financial effort will be significant but with due collaboration between government and private enterprise, much more can be achieved in the containment drive, as no private enterprise can go it alone.
“Similarly, the associated logistic support for the intervention, such as periodic movement of drugs and personnel from the mainland, will be essential but we are assured that all enablers will be provided by government as required.”
The NLNG boss thanked the state government for ensuing peaceful cooperation from all communities along the Road Right of Way, leading to minimal disruption of work.
