The member representing Ukwa West constituency in Abia State House of Assembly, Mr Godwin Adiele has appealed to the House to intervene by saving his constituents in Owaza community, following the alleged abandonment of Owaza  Cottage Hospital by the National Exploration and Production LTD.

According to him, the situation has exposed sick patients in the Cottage hospital to danger as they no longer receive attention.

Adiele, who was presenting a petition written by one concerned individual, Anyaso Ogbonna, about the present condition of the Owaza Cottage Hospital, said that the medical facility was taken over by the National Exploration and Production LTD, NEPL, in 2023 following the exit of Shell Petroleum Development Company LTD.

But the Ukwa West constituency representative claimed that the NEPL had failed to ensure the optimal functioning of the hospital and the payment of staff, as it was happening when the Cottage hospital was in the hands of its former management.

His words: “Regrettably, the company has failed, refused and neglected to ensure the optimal functioning of the hospital till date.

“Patients that come to the hospital no longer receive medical attention due to the absence of doctors, nurses and other health workers who have abandoned their duties due to non payment by the NEPL”.

He urged the Abia State House of Assembly to invite the management of the company to appear before the House, a move he said would ensure that host communities of the oil producing community enjoy Corporate Social Responsibility, CSR.

In response, the Speaker of Abia State House of Assembly, Emmanuel Emeruwa directed the House Committee on Public Petitions to investigate the matter immediately and report back within two weeks.