The Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) has donated five modern ambulances to government-owned health facilities in Ogoniland, Rivers State, to improve emergency medical response and patient care.
The beneficiary health centres include Bori Zonal Hospital, Terabor General Hospital, Eleme General Hospital, Bodo General Hospital, and Kpite Primary Health Care Centre.
The handover ceremony took place at Eleme General Hospital, Ogale, where HYPREP Project Coordinator, Professor Nenibarini Zabbey, emphasised that the initiative aligned with United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) recommendations for integrating public health improvements with environmental cleanup.
Zabbey highlighted that effective environmental restoration must be complemented by strengthened healthcare systems.
“These ambulances will enhance emergency response, facilitate patient referrals, and improve access to life-saving care across Eleme, Tai, Gokana, and Khana local government areas,” he said.
He also detailed ongoing health interventions by HYPREP, which included public health studies in partnership with the World Health Organization, construction of a 100-bed Ogoni Specialist Hospital and a 42-bed cottage hospital, medical outreaches, facility upgrades, and the installation of solar power systems in selected health centres.
He also added that several hospitals had been equipped with essential medical infrastructure, such as X-ray machines, digital ultrasound systems, laboratory analysers, theatre equipment, and surgical instruments.
Receiving the ambulances, Rivers State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Adaeze Oreh, praised HYPREP for adopting a holistic approach to hydrocarbon pollution remediation.
She noted that the ambulances would strengthen referral systems and ensure timely transfer of patients from primary care facilities to centres offering specialised services.
Oreh affirmed the state government’s continued collaboration with HYPREP on health initiatives.
Also speaking, Renaissance Africa Energy Company representative, Mr. Ehize Ebinomo, described the ambulances as “lifelines” for vulnerable communities and reaffirmed support for the full implementation of UNEP’s environmental assessment report in Ogoniland.
The donation reflects HYPREP’s commitment to combining environmental cleanup with complementary development initiatives aimed at improving the wellbeing of affected communities.
