FUBARA UNVEILS NEW HOSPITALS, UPGRADED AIR FORCE RUNWAY IN RIVERS

Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has inaugurated a new General Hospital and a Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital in Rumuigbo, Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of the state, as part of a series of major projects completed by his administration.

The inauguration forms part of the governor’s programme to commission 10 major projects across Rivers State, covering healthcare, roads, education and other critical infrastructure. The projects are being unveiled across different parts of the state between August 17 and August 31, 2026.

The two healthcare facilities in Rumuigbo are expected to improve access to medical services for residents of Obio/Akpor and neighbouring communities, particularly in the areas of general healthcare and mental health treatment.

The Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital is designed to strengthen the state’s capacity to provide specialised mental healthcare, while the new General Hospital is expected to expand access to essential medical services for residents.

The projects are part of Fubara’s wider infrastructure drive, which the state government has described as an effort to ensure that development reaches communities across the state’s 23 local government areas.

The governor has also inaugurated or scheduled the commissioning of other major projects, including roads, bridges, a zonal hospital, educational facilities and the rehabilitation of the Nigerian Air Force Base runway in Port Harcourt.

The rehabilitated Air Force runway is expected to strengthen the operational capacity of the Nigerian Air Force and improve the safety and efficiency of air operations in the state.

Speaking during the commissioning of the runway, Fubara reaffirmed the Rivers State Government’s commitment to supporting security agencies, particularly the Nigerian Air Force, in protecting critical national assets and improving security across the state.

He noted that Rivers’ strategic importance as the centre of Nigeria’s oil and gas industry makes security a major priority, particularly in the fight against crude oil theft, illegal refining, pipeline vandalism and other criminal activities.

The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Aneke, commended the Rivers State Government for investing in the rehabilitation of the runway and other facilities at the Air Force base.

He said the improved infrastructure would enhance aircraft deployment, surveillance, reconnaissance, search-and-rescue operations and the military’s ability to respond rapidly to security threats and emergencies.

The commissioning of the hospitals and other projects marks another phase of the Rivers State Government’s infrastructure programme, with the administration expected to complete the remaining ceremonies before the end of August.