GOVERNOR NYESOM EZENWO WIKE STATES THAT THE DR. PETER ODILI CANCER AND CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE DIAGNOSTIC AND TREATMENT CENTRE WILL SERVE AS MEDICAL TOURISM AND EARN FOREIGN RESERVE FOR THE STATE.

Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has stated that the Dr. Peter Odili Cancer and Cardiovascular Disease Diagnostic and Treatment Centre will serve as medical tourism and earn foreign reserve for the state.

Governor Wike stated this while speaking to Journalists after inspecting ongoing construction work within Port Harcourt and Obio/Akpor Local Government Areas in the state, noting that the heath facility will also reduce the number of Rivers people who traveled abroad for cancer and heart related ailment as well as the level of deaths resulting from the disease.

The Governor who observed the number of people that died because of cancer and heart ailment due to failure of early diagnosis, said government deliberate action to provide the facility, the first of its kind in sub-Saharan Africa was to save the lives of Rivers people.

Commenting on the Ogbum-Nu-Abali Sandfill Area, Governor Wike who recalled the area used to be as a criminal den, revealed that the State government was desirous to build new cities and expand Port Harcourt. 

The Governor opined that the area would be one of the best location for people to live and do business, pointing out that the state government has engaged Julius Berger Nigeria PLC to provide infrastructure with all facilities needed in a residential quarters, including the best security outfit that would give the needed security that is deserved of the area. 

He said Julius Berger Nigeria PLC had been directed to commence the design of the area with the Bureau of Special Projects in conjunction with the Nigerian Police to make inputs on the security aspect of the area. 

Governor Wike expressed happiness that he had kept faith with the social contract he had with Rivers people, unlike those who made promises and never fulfilled them with series of excuses. 

The Governor lauded Julius Berger Nigeria PLC for the quality of work done at the various project sites, and urged them to ensure that they deliver under the stipulated time frame.

Also speaking, the Regional Manager, South-South, Julius Berger Nigeria PLC, Juergen Fischer expressed delight over the progress of work at the project sites despite the rains and promised to deliver them on record time with the desired quality.