The Chairman, Dodo River Communities Development Association,DRDA, one of the Regional Development Committees under the Global Memorandum of Understanding, GMoU between the Bayelsa State Government, Dodo River communities and Chevron Nigeria Limited, CNL, Mr. Berry Negerese has described the GMoU as a veritable instrument for meeting the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals in the Niger-Delta region.

Mr. Negerese gave the indication recently at the official hand over of the Amatu II Cottage Hospital, built by the Dodo River Communities Rural Development Association to the Bayelsa State Government for proper management and integration into the state’s health scheme.

He stressed the importance of the GMoU to sustainable development of the communities in the Niger-Delta and stated that the community engagement model pioneered by Chevron has engendered capacity building for the communities to own and operate their development process in a participatory and transparent manner.

He thanked the Bayelsa State Governor, Chief Seriake Dickson for the successful takeover of the hospital and commended the efforts of Chief Hon. Frederick Yeiteimone Agbedi (the House of Representatives member representing Sagbama/Ekeremor Federal Constituency) and other stakeholders in facilitating the successful takeover of the facility.

Berry explained that the 45-bed hospital has a medical laboratory, pharmacy store, operating room, doctors, nurses and medical corps’ lodge, delivery room, post-natal room, functional water system, water ambulance, 50KVA generating plant with a generator house and a jetty. The hospital is also connected to the community’s 100 KVA generator.

Mr. Esimaje Brikinn, General Manager, Policy, Government and Public Affairs, commended the state government’s action describing it as a progression of the GMoU and a way of helping Nigeria meet its Sustainable Development Goals.