The Abia State House of Assembly Committee on Public Petitions has been directed to investigate a petition on alleged abandonment of Owaza Cottage Hospital in Ukwa West Local Government Area of Abia State.
This is following a presentation made to the House by the member representing Ukwa West State Constituency, Hon. Godwin Anyamagiobi Adiele to intervene by saving his constituents in Owaza Community and Ukwa West in general who suffer medical neglect since the Cottage Hospital was abandoned by the National Exploration and Production Ltd.
According to him, the situation has exposed sick patients in the Cottage hospital to danger as they no longer receive attention.
Adiele, who was presenting a petition written by some concerned individuals through their lawyer, Barrister Sam Ogbonna, about the present condition of the Owaza Cottage Hospital, said that the medical facility was taken over by the National Exploration and Production LTD, NEPL, in 2023 following the exit of Shell Petroleum Development Company LTD.
But the Ukwa West State constituency representative stated that the NEPL had failed to ensure the optimal functioning of the hospital and the payment of staff, as it was happening when the Cottage hospital was in the hands of its former management.
His words: “Regrettably, the company has failed, refused and neglected to ensure the optimal functioning of the hospital till date.
“Patients that come to the hospital no longer receive medical attention due to the absence of doctors, nurses and other health workers who have abandoned their duties due to non payment by the NEPL”.
He urged the Abia State House of Assembly to invite the management of the company to appear before the House, a move he said would ensure that host communities of the oil producing community enjoy Corporate Social Responsibility, CSR.
In response, the Speaker of Abia State House of Assembly, Emmanuel Emeruwa directed the House Committee on Public Petitions to investigate the matter immediately and report back within two weeks.
