Niger Delta
Delta Spent N789M On Drugs In 2011 -Commissioner
Delta government says it spent N789.8 million to purchase drugs and other medical consumables for its healthcare services in 2011.
The state Commissioner for Health, Dr Joseph Otumara, disclosed this at a press conference in Asaba on Thursday.
He said the drugs were distributed to public hospitals and clinics through the state’s Drug Revolving Fund during the period under review.
Otumara said that of the amount, N639 million was used to buy drugs and pharmaceuticals for the free maternal healthcare programme and rural health scheme in the state.
He announced that Asaba General Hospital project would soon be completed and inaugurated, adding that it would reduce the current congestion and pressure on the Federal Medical Center (FMC) in the city.
He, however, stated that drugs valued at N150.8 million were still being held in stock in the hospitals and central medical stores.
Otumara said the medical incentives provided by the government for the citizens had greatly increased the number of persons accessing medical care in the state.
He said 652,924 out-patients and 66,615 in-patients were recorded in all the public health facilities in the state, during the period.
He said that maternal mortality ratio in the state dropped dramatically to 22 per 100,000 live births in 2011 as against 276 per 100,000 live births in 2010.
The commissioner disclosed that the state government spent more than N2 billion in the prosecution of its health programmes, particularly the free maternal, child healthcare and rural healthcare schemes, in the last four years.
“The state government expenditure on hospitals, outside salaries and allowances, is well over N6.5 billion.
“Besides, the present administration has since 2007, also spent more than N1 billion to assist people for treatment in Nigeria and abroad.’’
Otumara, who admitted that hospitals in the state lacked adequate manpower, blamed it on the large number of hospitals and insufficient funds but said that the issue was being addressed.
“We are making efforts to look at areas of need and fill them because most of the medical personnel are retiring and those vacancies need to be filled.
“But currently, the government pays about N600 million monthly to its hospitals management board alone and if you multiply this figure by 12 it amounts to N7.2 billion and that is the annual money to that sector”, he also said.
The Rivers State Commissioner for Urban Development and Physical Planning, Rt Hon Evans Bipi, has eulogised Gen Gabriel Asabuja over his recent birthday celebration in Port Harcourt.
Bipi said Asabuja is worth celebrating following his numerous contributions and support to the administration of Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
He described Asabuja as a strong pillar of governance in Rivers State, adding that the Ministry of Urban Development and Physical Planning is happy working with him.
He noted that Asabuja’s position as a team leader of the Ministry’s taskforce has been amazing, saying the Ministry is proud associating with him.
The former lawmaker hinted that since Asabuja assumed office as leader of the taskforce, the Ministry has witnessed tremendous improvement.
Bipi said the Ministry will always stand by him to ensure that the dreams of the Governor Fubara-led government are achieved.
On his part, the celebrant, Gen Gabriel Asabuja expressed gratitude to God and the Commissioner for the honour done him.
Gen Asabuja also commended Governor Fubara for his tremendous and good leadership in the State, saying his group will continue to give the Governor maximum support in order to achieve more for Rivers people.
Gen Asabuja described Rt Hon Evans Bipi as one of the best brains working with the Governor, saying under Bipi, the Ministry of Urban Development and Physical Planning has shown capacity to leverage on the Governor’s mantra of Rivers First.
He said both the personnel of the Ministry, the Directors and adhoc staff are happy with his style of leadership.
The Joint Provincial Council, East of the Niger, Anglican Communion, held its 2025 Annual General Meeting at St. Michael’s Church, Rumuomasi Deanery, Diocese of Evo from Saturday 15th — Sunday 16th February, 2025.
The meeting which had the theme, “Kept By His Mercies”, with text from Lamentations 3:22-23, had the Archbishops, Bishops, their wives, Chancellors, Financial Secretaries and Synod Clerical Secretaries of the 58 Dioceses as delegates.
At the opening ceremony on Saturday, the Dean of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) and Chairman of the Council, Most Rev Blessing Enyindah, charged delegates to stay focused and committed to the matters for discussion and implement decisions reached for the growth of the Church in the region and the advancement of the business of God’s Kingdom.
Most Rev Enyindah, who is also the Archbishop of the Niger Delta Province and Bishop of the Diocese of Ikwerre, lauded the Diocese of Evo for the giant strides recorded in just 15 years of existence while tasking the leadership not to rest on its oars but to strive further to complete the work of the Kingdom in their hands.
Addressing the council in his welcome address, the Bishop of the Diocese of Evo and host of the Joint Council, The Rt Rev Innocent Ordu, welcomed the delegates, and reminded them that the theme is apt and fit as it reminds the Church of God’s inexplicable and instructible mercy towards mankind, which supersedes His righteous judgements.
Bishop Ordu further lamented the many challenges bedeviling the country, such as skyrocketing cost of living, ravaging sicknesses and ailments, proliferation of harmful drugs, natural disasters, high level corruption in public offices, inept political leadership, amongst others, which he said could not consume mankind because of God’s mercies.
In their separate speeches, delegates saluted the Diocese of Evo for willingly accepting to host the council and the comfort they enjoyed during their stay.
Earlier, the council appointed the Synod’s Clerical Secretary of the Diocese of Evo, Rev (Canon) (Dr) Ebenezer Owhor as the Assistant Secretary of the Joint Council.
Also, before the commencement of plenary, the women of St. Michael’s Church, Rumuomasi Deanery thrilled delegates to good traditional tunes and dance steps while His Royal Highness Eze( Sir) Raymond Chinda led the chiefs and elders of Rumuomasi community in Oropotoma Kingdom, to appreciate the council for choosing the community to host the meeting.
They solicited for prayers of peace, unity and development from the council.
The meeting ended on Sunday evening while the Archbishops and Bishops worshipped in various churches in the Diocese of Evo.