Korede Abdullah in Lagos
The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has donated an ambulance and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to the General Hospital in Iquita, Oron Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State.
The gesture, part of NDDC’s wider intervention programmes across the Niger Delta, aims to enhance healthcare delivery in underserved areas.
Presenting the donation, NDDC’s Executive Director of Projects, Victor Antai, expressed personal attachment to the hospital.
“This hospital played a vital role in my journey to maturity, especially as I mark my 60th birthday,” he said. “I was practical and determined about what I wanted to do, and this donation is a step forward.”
Antai emphasized that NDDC’s projects were designed to complement state government efforts, not compete with them.
“Whatever we are doing at the NDDC, we are not in competition with the State Government. We are working hand-in-hand to complement their efforts,” he noted.
He also praised the Akwa Ibom State Government’s strides in education, particularly the remodelling of Government Primary School, Uko Uyukim—his alma mater—as a sign of commitment to grassroots development.
Commending Governor Umo Eno’s collaborative approach, he added, “For the governor to recognise leaders like the Senate President, Godswill Obot Akpabio, shows his humility and regard for brotherhood and unity.”
In response to a request from the hospital for more infrastructure, Antai pledged swift action on a solar-powered borehole for the emergency unit, stating, “By tomorrow, I will handle that.”
Receiving the donation, the state’s Commissioner for Health, Emmanuel Ekem John, expressed gratitude, highlighting the hospital’s urgent needs, including an X-ray machine, ultrasound scanner, and more beds.
He praised the hospital management for maintaining a clean and functional environment despite limited resources.
