The Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, has said that President Bola Tinubu, gave the commission the mandate to complete all abandoned legacy projects in the region.

Ogbuku assured that following the directive, the commission would complete its Regional Specialist Cardiovascular and Orthopedic Hospital in Port Harcourt, Rivers state and partner with medical experts to run the facility.

Speaking after inspecting the Niger Delta Regional Specialist Hospital, Ogbuku assured that the project would be completed and fitted with the best medical equipment before the end of the year.

Ogbuku, who was accompanied by the executive director of Projects, Sir Victor Antai and other directors of the commission, explained that the health facility would also meet international standards.

The NDDC boss in a statement signed by the commission’s Director, Corporate Affairs, Pius Ughakpoteni, said: “We need specialists who will work with us on this project. President Bola Tinubu has given us the mandate to complete all legacy projects for the people of the Niger Delta region and we are committed to ensuring that we discharge our responsibility in this regard.

“NDDC will go into partnership with specialists that will put heads together to put the finishing touches to what is on the ground for proper services. We will not be able to handle that aspect and that is the reason we will bring people with international pedigree to run the facility.”

Ogbuku noted the inherent dangers of cardiovascular disease and the rampant cases of accidents saying the current NDDC Board would put an end to the problem of abandoned projects in the Niger Delta region.

He said: “This is a massive project and we will endeavoür to complete it for the benefit of the people of the region and other Nigerians.”

Briefing the Managing Director on the project, the Executive Director of Projects, Sir Victor Antai, affirmed that the specialist hospital would have a direct impact on the lives of the people.

He observed that the hospital, with Orthopedic and Cardiovascular units, would deal with the correction of injuries to the skeletal system, associated muscles, joints and ligaments, while the cardiovascular unit would treat heart problems prevalent in the region.

Antai noted that the hospital would bring quality healthcare closer to the people and enhance the federal government’s capacity in healthcare delivery.

He said: “We want a situation where inhabitants of the Niger Delta would access world-class medical facilities within the region.”(THE NATION)