By Ekebe Emmanuel
Months back, news came that the Bill for the establishment of the Federal Medical Center ( FMC), Oleh sponsored by the Senator representing the Delta South Senatorial District, Senator Joel Onowakpo had been passed by the red Chamber.
The joy across the land was thick and infectious. Our people looked forward to getting a federal medical facility in Isoko land as the first reasonable federal presence outside post offices and police stations.
However, several months after, the expectations began to fade and confusion setting in with the deafening silence on why the Bill long passed was not being ascented by PBAT. Yet, we are told the sponsor of the Bill is close to the Villa.
The people are now left groping in the fertile realm of speculation whether they have once again been scammed with another ‘political double wonder’.
The fears and disdain were further escalated when the FMC, Udu whose Bill was passed almost at the same time with that of Oleh was being given accelerated push. The Udu FMC has already secured its take off base at the Otor-Udu General Hospital with the Delta state House of Assembly endorsing the necessary legislative processes for the take over. In effect, the Udu FMC is making very steady progress without any information why that of Oleh is in limbo.
Whatever the encumbrances or challenges hindering the speedy actualization of the Oleh FMC, Senator Onowakpo should now redouble his efforts because like our elders will say ” a pond not properly fitted, is just a shallow collection of water” That’s to say that a task not completed , invariably defeats the purpose.
The Isoko people’s appetite has been awaken seriously apart from the reasons earlier abduced. An operational FMC in Oleh will not only bring better health care closer to the people but will also serve far beyond Isoko land or Delta South Senatorial District including neighboring communities in Ndokwa areas and even nearby Bayelsa state settlements that do patronize the underfunded but strategic Uzere Cottage Hospital.
In addition,2027 is around the corner and if anything, a functional FMC in Oleh will be a landmark testimony for Onowakpo to add wind in driving his second tenure bid .
Further more, Isoko as major oil and gas producing ethnic nationality that has been exposed to the hazards of oil exploration over the years deserves a befitting FMC to ameliorate their medical needs with minimal effort.
Time is of essence and the Isoko people demand results not tales. So let visible and concrete actions be brought to bear so that the Oleh FMC becomes a reality. Otherwise, we will be left to believe that he that is peeling the yam for the blind but not whistling is possibly gulping the yam down his throat while the real owner of the yam is hungrily salivating.
