As part of his effort to address the shortage of manpower in the vital health sector, Governor Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta State, Friday, flagged off the establishment of College of Health Technology in Ovrode, Isoko North Local Government Area of the state.

While performing the ground breaking ceremony of the administrative building of the new College, which brought the number of Colleges of Health Technology in the state to two, Governor Oborevwori said the College would take-off in earnest from the existing structures in the Ovrode Grammar School.

The Governor, who was represented by the Commissioner for Works (Rural and Riverine Roads), Mr Charles Aniagwu, said his administration was investing in education and healthcare infrastructure for the sustainable prosperity and longevity of citizens of the state.

He said: “Today, the flag off of the School of Health Technology here at Ovrode, marks a major step in the march towards strengthening our health care sector through the M.O.R.E Agenda. With this state-of-the-art facility, this institution will provide quality education and requisite practical know-how for healthcare professionals who are currently in short supply in the state.

“Today, we have less than a thousand servicing our health sector, whereas we need about seven thousand technical personnel to sustain it. It is to bridge this yawning gap that has informed the establishment of this college.

“I urge the management and staff of the college to be dedicated and committed to producing high quality health care professionals capable of serving our people, with transparent diligence, love and empathy.

“Healthcare is not just about diagnosis and treatment of illnesses; it is also about promoting wellness and preventing diseases through effective advocacy to ensure the well-being of every citizen.

“Through investment in education and healthcare infrastructure, we are investing in the sustainable prosperity and longevity of our dear citizens. I sincerely appreciate the World Bank for its timely supportive partnership with the Delta State Government in the improvement of our health indices.

“I commend the Delta State Ministry of Health, State Primary Healthcare Development Agency and the Delta IMPACT Team for making this vision, a reality. For the Ministry of Education, I recognize your support by willingly providing Ovrode Grammar School for the take-off of this institution.

“I also thank other stakeholders who have demonstrated unflinching support for this project. Let us, together, build a healthier Delta State, both for the present and future generations.”

Earlier in his address, the State Commissioner for Health, Dr Joseph Onojaeme, said the project signified the State Government’s commitment to enhancing health care education and infrastructure across the state in line with Governor Oborevwori’s campaign promises.

He said the College of Health Technology would play a crucial role in shaping the future of health care delivery in the state, adding that Delta keyed into the Immunisation Plus and Malaria Progress By Accelerating Coverage and Transforming Services Project (IMPACT) in response to the Nigerian Government’s commitment to improve its human capital with the goal of reducing under-five mortality rate by half by year 2030.

On his part, the President- General of Ovrode Community, Comrade Simon Okata, thanked the Governor for appointing an illustrious son of the community as Commissioner for Health and for approving the siting of the College of Health Technology in Ovrode.

He said the establishment of the College was a divine fulfillment of Governor Oborevwori’s M.O.R.E Agenda and appealed to the Governor to construct the 3 km Ovrode – Aradhe Road to link the Ughelli-Asaba Expressway.

The President- General of Isoko Development Union, IDU, Prof. Chris Akpotu, lauded Governor Oborevwori for choosing Isoko and Ovrode for the establishment of the College of Health Technology.

Akpotu said: “Isoko people are happy and overwhelmed and we appreciate our dear Governor on this massive project. We also thank Governor Oborevwori for the ongoing works on the College of Medicine at the Delta State University of Science and Technology, Ozoro, as well as the massive transformation on the Isoko section of the Ughelli-Asaba Expressway.

“The Isoko people will continue to be partners with Governor Oborevwori and the State Government in the implementation of his MORE Agenda aimed at Advancing Delta.”