The Senate has passed for second reading a bill seeking to establish the Federal Oil and Gas Hospital in Benikrukru, Delta State, to provide medical services to communities affected by the exploration activities.
This was sequel to the consideration of the piece of legislation sponsored by Senator Joel Thomas (APC Delta South) during plenary, on Tuesday.
The Lawmaker said it would reduce health risks associated with oil and gas, noting that siting the hospital in the Niger Delta would also help the communities access other emergency medical services.
“It will interest you to know that the Delta South Senatorial District has the highest offshore oil production in Delta and second in the country.
“More specifically, the location indicated for this project is in the heart of offshore oil exploration in the Niger Delta.
“This project will benefit oil companies and communities in Delta, noting that this location is home to many oil exploration activities of Chevron, Shell, ExxonMobil, Total among other oil companies,” he said.
Speaking in the same vein, Sen. Seriake Dickson (PDP- Bayelsa) and Sen. Ede Dafinone (APC-Delta),also supported bill.
Deputy President of Senate, Barau Jibrin, (APC-Kano), who presided at plenary referred the bill to the Committee on Health for further legislative inputs and to return back to plenary in four weeks
