The Governor gave the charge at the commissioning and handing-over ceremony of a Diagnostic Laboratory, built by Chevron and its Joint Venture stakeholders in the Agbami Field to the state-owned Niger Delta University, NDU, Amassoma.
Represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Chief Serena Dokubo-Spiff, the Governor urged oil companies in the state to honour the global memoranda of understanding they had signed with oil their host communities, as a part of efforts to reduce conflicts.
While appreciating the establishment of the medical facility, Governor Dickson, however, called on Chevron and its partners to adequately equip the laboratory to boost the research efforts of the University community.
Dickson also assured students of the NDU that, his administration would continue to collaborate with other development partners to provide a conducive environment for teaching and learning in the university.
His words: “We appreciate what you have done. But, we think you still need to do a little more in the area of equipping the facility with the wherewithal that will enhance effective utilization of this wonderful edifice that you have built for us.”
Addressing the students, he said, “We would continue to jointly do everything that is necessary and appropriate to ensure that you have the enabling environment to undertake your studies. So what you owe us is the exhibition of a sense of responsibility to utilize this facility in the best possible way you can.”
In his address, the Acting Vice Chancellor of the NDU, Prof Samuel Edoumiekumo said the medical laboratory, which is the first of three phases, was initiated in 2008 and expressed optimism that when completed, the project would not only impact on the University community, but also the country at large.
Also speaking, the Director of Star Deepwater Petroleum Limited, Mr Lanre Kalejaiye said, the Diagnostic Laboratory would enhance students’ research efforts and stimulate major medical research breakthroughs.
In their separate remarks, representatives of NAPIMS, Statoil, Famfa Oil Ltd and Petrobras, said the facility would complement the government efforts at building manpower for healthcare delivery and expressed readiness to continually embark on projects to improve the wellbeing of the people.
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