Engineer Sule commissions 10-bed ward built by Chinese mining company in Udege-Mbeki

….urges other mining companies to emulate gesture

Nasarawa State governor, Engineer Abdullahi Sule, has commissioned newly constructed 10-bed ward built by the Kenyang Mining Company, at the Udege-Mbeki Primary Healthcare Centre.

Engineer Sule commissioned the facility at a ceremony which held in Udege-Mbeki, on Tuesday.

While commending the Kenyang Mining Company for the laudable project, aimed at providing needs and wellbeing of the people of the area, the governor urged the company to sustain the tempo for the overall development of the people.

He noted that the construction of the additional ward is apt and timely, in view of its significant impact to the people of the community and its environs, which Engineer Sule maintained will go a long way in complimenting the efforts of his administration in developing the primary healthcare system.

The governor added that the gesture will equally seeks to address the high infant and maternal mortality rates, especially in the rural areas.

He used the opportunity of the event, to call on other mining companies operating in the state, to emulate the gesture from the Kenyang Mining Company, so that other communities can also benefit.

Engineer Sule said the 10-bed ward was built as part of the social corporate responsibility entered into with the Udege-Mbeki community and the Chinese company, as enshrined in the Minerals and Mining Act 2007.

He disclosed that already, his administration has clearly identified to the Kenyang Mining Company that rather than going to see a few people in Lafia, the state capital, it’s better for the company to put the money where it belongs.

The governor urged the people of the area to make judicious use of the healthcare facility for the benefit of all, while assuring that his administration will continue to create enabling environment and give necessary support in order to enhance the health living conditions and wellbeing of the people.

He equally assured that his administration will continue to enhance the security and movement of the people in order to utilize the potentials that abound in the area.

The governor also used the opportunity to re-echo his earlier call while launching the COVID-19 mass vaccination campaign, stressing that the world is still faced with the scourge of the delta variant of the pandemic, which is further complicated by the emergence of the Omicron variant.

“It’s therefore imperative to continue to adhere strictly to the protocol for COVID-19, through constant washing of hands, wearing of face mask and observing social distance,” he stated.

Earlier, in his speech, General Manager of the Kenyang Mining Company, Mr Miller Xu Guang Hui, said the 10-bed ward project was part of the company’s social responsibility agreement and a payback from the firm to the host community.

Mr. Miller added that the gesture was the company’s way of showing gratitude to the host community where the company has operated for the past 10 years in a peaceful environment.

The Kenyang Mining Company general manager used the opportunity to show appreciation to the Nasarawa State governor, as well as the state government, for the continued support given the company, which have remained key to the development aspirations of the mining company.

He particularly thanked the state government for encouraging miners through policy formulation to guide the mining sector, as well as the significant improvement in security, which combine to further propel the company to make additional investments.

In his goodwill message, the Osu-Ajiri, HRH Alhaji Halilu Bala Usman, highlighted on some key interventions by the Kenyang Mining Company to the host community, stemming from the signing of two agreements on social responsibility.

Also, in a welcome address, deputy chairman of Nasarawa Local Government Area, Hon. Idris Musa Gomna, who stood on behalf of the chairman of the council, commended the mining company for undertaking the project.

According to the deputy chairman, the 10-bed ward will assist towards addressing health challenges of the people in the area.