Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has called for stronger collaboration with Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas Limited (NLNG) to revive the Bonny General Hospital, stressing that the company’s continued success is important to the economic wellbeing of both Rivers State and Nigeria.
The governor made the appeal on Wednesday while receiving the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of NLNG, Adeleye Falade, during a courtesy visit at Government House in Port Harcourt.
Fubara assured the NLNG leadership of his administration’s readiness to sustain a cordial working relationship with the company, noting that supporting major corporate organisations operating in the state would ultimately translate into broader economic gains for the state and the country.
According to him, the prosperity of government, businesses and citizens are closely linked, making collaboration between the public and private sectors essential.
“We are the ones here. If we don’t support you and you don’t succeed, we also will not succeed, and the country will not succeed. So you can always count on our support,” the governor said.
Fubara also appealed to NLNG to assist in restoring Bonny General Hospital by reintroducing incentive programmes that previously attracted qualified medical personnel to the facility.
He recalled that the hospital once operated effectively due to NLNG’s strong community support and incentive schemes, which made postings to Bonny Island attractive for healthcare workers. However, he lamented that the facility has deteriorated in recent years, forcing residents to seek treatment from unqualified providers.
The governor revealed that the state government had already initiated steps to rehabilitate the hospital following a tragic incident in which a patient reportedly died in a quack clinic, a development that exposed the urgent need to improve healthcare services in the area.
While urging NLNG to complement the government’s intervention, Fubara emphasised that strengthening healthcare infrastructure remains critical to the development and wellbeing of host communities.
He also commended NLNG for sustaining operations and recording success despite the country’s challenging business climate, attributing its longevity to a model that allows private sector expertise to manage operations under government oversight.
Earlier, NLNG’s Managing Director, Falade, thanked the governor for maintaining a strong partnership with the company, particularly in tackling pipeline vandalism and ensuring a stable operating environment.
He noted that improved security conditions have enabled the company to expand operations, resulting in increased productivity and revenue.
Falade reiterated NLNG’s commitment to the socio-economic development of Rivers State, highlighting the company’s investments in education, youth empowerment and community development projects.
According to him, NLNG has spent billions of naira renovating schools under its General Memorandum of Understanding (GMOU) framework, alongside implementing vocational training programmes aimed at building local capacity in the Niger Delta.
He disclosed that the company has generated more than $30 billion in revenue since its establishment, with the Federal Government holding a 49 per cent stake. The firm has also contributed about $9 billion in taxes and over ₦250 billion to the Rivers State Government through employee tax payments.
Falade expressed optimism that the company’s performance would continue to improve, projecting stronger returns in 2026, driven by a peaceful operating environment and continued support from government and host communities.
By Nzeuzor Jane and Maduadugwo Jane, Port-Harcourt
