A member of the Abia State House of Assembly, Mr. Godwin Adiele, has raised concerns over the poor condition of the Owaza Cottage Hospital in Ukwa West, following its alleged abandonment by the National Exploration and Production Limited (NEPL).
Speaking during a plenary session, Adiele appealed to the House to intervene urgently to save lives in the oil-rich Owaza community. He said patients at the hospital are no longer receiving medical attention due to the absence of doctors, nurses, and other staff, who reportedly left their posts over unpaid salaries.
The lawmaker presented a petition by a concerned resident, Anyaso Ogbonna, detailing how NEPL took over the hospital in 2023 after Shell Petroleum Development Company exited the area. Since then, according to Adiele, the company has failed to maintain the hospital or fulfill its corporate social responsibility to the community.
“Regrettably, the company has failed, refused, and neglected to ensure the optimal functioning of the hospital till date,” he told the House.
Adiele urged the Assembly to summon NEPL’s management to explain their actions and ensure that the host community receives the healthcare services it deserves.
In response, the Speaker of the House, Emmanuel Emeruwa, directed the Committee on Public Petitions to investigate the matter and report back within two weeks.