Okpebholo Inaugurates Primary Healthcare Centre, Road Project

Adibe Emenyonu in Benin City 

The Governor of Edo State, Monday Okpebholo, has inaugurated the  Community Healthcare Centre and a 1.1km road constructed by Azura Power West Africa Limited for the Orior-Osemwende in Uhunmwode Local Government Area of the state.

The Orio-Osemwende community is one of the host communities that house Azura Power West Africa.

Governor Okpebholo commended the power company for its investment initiatives that have brought tangible impact in the lives and well-being of Nigerians and its host communities, emphasising the benefits of partnership and collaboration between the government and the private sector toward accelerating the accomplishment of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The governor who was represented by the Commissioner for Finance, Emmanuel Okhuebor, stated that Azura Power’s sustained commitment to making a real difference in the lives of the residents of the Orior-Osemwende and other host communities was exemplary and worthy of emulation for other businesses. 

In his welcome address, Managing Director, Azura Power West Africa Limited, Mr. Edu Okeke, disclosed that the two projects, culminating in a total cost of N1.66 billion, were aimed to significantly enhance healthcare infrastructure by providing a modern and improved primary healthcare facility for the residents of its host community – Orior-Osemwende, adding that the two other host Ihovbor and Idunmwowina already have two health posts.

He said the aim is to improve community connectivity by delivering health and vital road infrastructure to facilitate movement, access, and overall quality of life. 

“For us at Azura Power West Africa Limited (APWAL), the reconstructed Primary Health Centre and the 1.1km Orior Community Road in Orior-Osemwende not only exemplify APWAL’s continued dedication to our host communities but also highlight the tangible impact of the ‘Power to Change’ programme in fostering sustainable development and empowering lives at the grassroots level,’’ Okeke said.  

He stated further that Azura Power’s PTC programme was a positive example of how corporate entities can meaningfully contribute to the development of their host communities, showcasing a model of responsible corporate citizenship.

The Azura Power Managing Director expressed deep gratitude to Governor Okpebholo-led administration for providing an enabling environment for businesses to thrive, and noted that the governor’s commitment to improved security, road and general infrastructure across the state would go a long way in attracting more investors into Edo State.

He disclosed the while the road project has sides drains to tackle erosion, the primary healthcare centre was built with installed solar power as a backup, a dedicated water borehole, and qualified health personnel including a doctor, adding that the two projected were conceived through a tripartite approach involving Azura Power West Africa Limited, Edo State Primary Healthcare Development Agency and Tulsi Chanrai Foundation.

Earlier, the Chief Finance Officer, Azura Power West Africa who Chaired the Community Social Responsibility Programme, Nonyerem Obibuaku, said the projects being inaugurated and others done in the past were the shared vision of the company to create a sustainable solution for the needs of the host communities anchored on four pillars of what Azura stands for: healthcare, education, livelihood and infrastructure.