President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has signed into law the Federal Medical Centre, Oleh Establishment Bill, marking a historic breakthrough for healthcare delivery in Delta South Senatorial District.
The bill, sponsored by the Senator representing Delta South, Senator Joel-Onowakpo Thomas, provides for the establishment of the first Federal Medical Centre in the senatorial district, ending decades without a federal tertiary health institution in the oil-producing region.
Reacting to the development, Joel-Onowakpo described the President’s assent as a landmark victory for the people of Delta South and a major step towards correcting the longstanding imbalance in access to quality healthcare.
The lawmaker expressed profound gratitude to President Tinubu for what he described as visionary and responsive leadership, noting that the new medical centre would bring specialised healthcare closer to millions of residents and serve as a beacon of hope for communities that have endured the consequences of decades of crude oil exploration.
“For far too long, communities that have borne the brunt of crude oil exploration have endured inadequate access to quality healthcare. This Federal Medical Centre will deliver world-class medical services to our people and contribute meaningfully to their well-being and prosperity,” he said.
Joel-Onowakpo also commended the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio; Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas; Deputy Senate President, Barau Jibrin; Senate Leader, Michael Opeyemi Bamidele; and members of the National Assembly for their support in securing the passage of the landmark legislation.
He equally thanked High Chief Government Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo, and Mr. Matthew Tonlagha for their encouragement and support towards the realisation of the project.
Congratulating his constituents, the Senator said the establishment of FMC Oleh signalled a new dawn for Delta South, stressing that the era of marginalisation was steadily giving way to purposeful representation and inclusive development.
“This achievement demonstrates what can be accomplished through purposeful representation, unity of purpose and responsive governance. We remain committed to attracting more transformative projects that will redefine the future of Delta South,” Joel-Onowakpo said.
The presidential assent to the Federal Medical Centre, Oleh Establishment Act further strengthens Joel-Onowakpo’s growing record of legislative accomplishments, coming on the heels of President Tinubu’s earlier assent to the Nigeria Maritime University, Okerenkoko Establishment Act—another landmark legislation championed and facilitated by the Delta South Senator.