By Derick Peretengboro

The Chairman of Odimodi Community, Pharm. Benaebi Brian Pondy, has expressed appreciation to High Chief Government Oweizide Ekpemupolo and the management of Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited for intervening in the poor condition of Burutu General Hospital.

Pondy’s commendation follows the recent on-the-spot assessment embarked upon by Tantita Security Services Ltd., due to a viral protest by women and youths in Burutu town over the deteriorating condition of the hospital and the inadequate state of healthcare services in the area.

The protest brought renewed attention to the challenges confronting residents who depend on the hospital for medical care, particularly the absence or inadequacy of professionals and basic facilities required for effective healthcare delivery.

Pondy described the intervention by High Chief Ekpemupolo and Tantita management as a welcome development, expressing gratitude for the decision to respond to the concerns raised by the people.

According to him, the rehabilitation of Burutu General Hospital would be significant to the Local Government Area, considering the difficulty residents in the predominantly riverine communities face in accessing quality healthcare.

He noted that a functional general hospital would reduce the need for residents to travel long distances by waterways in search of medical attention, while also providing better access to emergency care, maternal and child healthcare and other essential medical services.

The Odimodi Community chairman, however, used the opportunity to call on the Delta State Government to urgently pay attention to the wider infrastructure deficit across Burutu Local Government Area.

He appealed to the state governor to visit Burutu and assess firsthand the lack of basic life-support infrastructure confronting Burutu town and more than 70 other communities in the local government area.

Pondy specifically called for the speedy completion of the Ayakoromor Bridge, describing the project as critical to improving transportation, connectivity and economic activities in the area.

He also urged the state government to approve and fund the continuation of the Ayakoromor-Burutu-Ofougbene-Forcados road, linking it with the existing Odimodi-Ogulagha road at Odimodi town.

According to him, the completion of the road network would open up several riverine communities, improve movement of people and goods, reduce transportation difficulties and create opportunities for increased economic activities.

Pondy further called for engagements with critical stakeholders towards powering Burutu town from the gas turbine at the Forcados Terminal, stressing that reliable electricity would have far-reaching economic and social benefits.

He said regular electricity supply would support businesses, improve the preservation of food and medicines, encourage investment, enhance educational activities and create an environment conducive to the growth of small and medium-scale enterprises.

The community leader also appealed for the construction of an all-season potable water supply system for Burutu and surrounding communities.

He stressed that access to clean and reliable water was fundamental to public health and human development, adding that investment in water infrastructure would help reduce water-borne diseases and improve the quality of life of residents.

The community leader said the various infrastructure projects including the competion of permanent campus for the Delta State Marine Polytechnic, Burutu should not be viewed as isolated interventions but as interconnected requirements for the sustainable development of Burutu in particular and Delta State in general.

He maintained that improved healthcare, roads, electricity education, and potable water would stimulate commerce, attract investment, improve human capital development and strengthen the productive capacity of communities across the local government area.

While appreciating High Chief Government Ekpemupolo and Tantita Security Services for responding to the immediate healthcare challenge, Pondy urged the Delta State Government, relevant agencies, corporate organisations and other critical stakeholders to collaborate on a broader development agenda for Burutu people.

He said sustained investment in basic infrastructure would not only improve living conditions but also unlock the blue economic potential of the numerous communities that make up Burutu and other adjoining Local Government Areas.