Former Deputy Governor of Delta State, Deacon Kingsley Burutu Otuaro, has praised the Nigerian Senate for passing a bill to establish the Federal Oil and Gas Hospital in Benikrukru, Gbaramatu Kingdom, describing the move as a historic step for healthcare in the oil-rich Niger Delta region.
Otuaro made his appreciation known in a heartfelt letter addressed to the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, shortly after the Senate passed the bill at its third reading.
In the letter, Otuaro stated that the establishment of the hospital is a “long-overdue response” to the healthcare challenges and environmental hazards faced by oil-producing communities in Delta State and across the Niger Delta.
“This historic milestone is not just a legislative victory—it is a major step toward correcting years of healthcare neglect in one of the most critical regions to our national economy,” Otuaro wrote.
He explained that Benikrukru, located in Warri South-West Local Government Area, sits at the heart of Nigeria’s oil operations, housing several oil installations and multinational companies. Yet, the area has long lacked specialized medical facilities to handle oil-related illnesses, injuries, and environmental health issues.
According to Otuaro, the Federal Oil and Gas Hospital will serve multiple purposes:
- Provide emergency care for oil-related accidents and occupational hazards
- Address environmental health problems common in oil-producing areas
- Offer general healthcare to local residents who have sacrificed much for national development
He also thanked Senator Joel-Onowakpo Thomas, who represents Delta South Senatorial District, for sponsoring the bill and championing the cause of the Niger Delta people in the National Assembly.
Otuaro commended Senate President Akpabio for his leadership and expressed confidence in President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to give the bill his final approval by signing it into law.
“Under your visionary and progressive leadership, the Nigerian Senate has again demonstrated its unwavering commitment to equity, development, and national balance,” Otuaro said.
He concluded by calling the bill’s passage a “major breakthrough” that will bring hope and healing to oil-bearing communities that have been historically underserved.
If the bill is signed into law, construction and equipping of the Federal Oil and Gas Hospital in Benikrukru will begin—marking a new chapter for healthcare access in the Niger Delta.
