‘‘I have told them they should report this in our medical journals that this has happened here’’.Rivers State Health Commissioner, Dr. Tamunoiyoriari Parker stated this at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital during the discharge of two out of the nine surviving victims of the Okogbe Tanker fire disaster.
Dr. Parker said as a result of the robust collaboration between the Federal Agencies and the State Agencies “we have managed to save nine lives which is very remarkable”. According to him ‘‘these were patients we could have flown abroad to places like India, the UK or the United State of America, but we have saved them here’’, commending the rapid response committee for a job well done.
Dr. Parker said because we live in a region where petroleum are readily available in all nooks and crannies, ‘‘we must educate ourselves about the dangers and live safely with these commodities’’.
Prof. Aaron Ojule, the Chief Medical Director of the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital and Chairman of the Committee said two of the victims are to be discharged while the remaining victims will continue to receive quality care and will be discharged as soon as possible.
Mr. Chiwonka Agberegba and Mr. Menwe Osisi who were both discharged, advised Rivers people to resist the temptation of scooping fuel or toying around with petroleum products to avoid meeting a similar fate.
Mr. Ugochukwu Okpara Israel one of the victims still receiving treatment in the hospital who said he was a painter and a tiler before the incident thanked the Rivers State Government and the staff of the hospital for the free treatment and good nursing care given to them and appealed to the State Government for financial assistance to enable them sustain themselves after being discharged.
More Reports from PortHarcourt:
Chief Judge Provides Accomodation For Industrial Court
Chief Judge of Rivers State Justice Iche Ndu has called on the National Industrial Court to take advantage of the sitting accommodation provided for the initial take off of the court in the State.
Justice Ndu made the call at the High Court Complex, Port Harcourt during the visit of the President of the National Industrial Court of Nigeria to the State Judiciary to inspect facilities available for the take off of the court.
Earlier, the Chief Judge conducted the visitor round the court complex and enjoined him to accept the office accommodation used by the former Chief Judge of the State, Late Justice Holden, highlighting the initial difficulty experienced in trying to secure accommodation and the consultations that transpired between him and other stakeholders in the justice sector in the State.
The President, National Industrial Court of Nigeria, Justice B. A Adejumo commended the Chief Judge for the infrastructural transformation of the State Judiciary, describing it as the best in the country.
Justice Adejumo, who attributed the success to the co-operation among the three Arms of Government, stated his determination to make greater impact and called for good working relationship between the High Court and the newly established Industrial Court.
Encomium Trails Special Duties Commissioner
Special Duties Commissioner, Hon. Emeka Nwogu has been honoured for his immense landmark contributions toward the upliftment of the Ministry particularly in the areas of fire safety and Emergency Management in the State.
The Commendation was made at Annual Professional Development Workshop and Membership Induction Ceremony, organised by the Nigerian Institute of Safety Professionals at Landmark Hotel in Port Harcourt.
Presenting the Award, the National President of the Institute, Mr. Shaw Fregene extolled the sterling qualities of Hon Nwogu, noting that his track records as a former House of Assembly Member and his performance so far in his present office have earned him the honour.
Mr. Fregene said the Association is a non-profit organisation with the sole objective of Emergency/Disaster reduction in general to bring about a safe society.
Responding, the Commissioner expressed gratitude to God Almighty and the Association for the honour and dedicated the Award to his Staff and Family, adding that the recognition would spur him to work harder and serve as an encouragement to attain greater heights.
Chief Nwogu urged the institute to be proactive in the discharge of their duties, and reiterated the State Government’s determination to safeguard the lives and property of the people of the State.
Highlights of the event was the presentation of induction certificates to new members.
