Govt upgrades facilities for destitute
By Otikor Samuel
In pursuance of its vision to create a society where everyone is capable of functioning and achieving practical opportunities in the face of any disadvantage, the Rivers State Ministry of Social Welfare & Rehabilitation has upgraded facilities at Iriebe Rehabilitation Centre to give full potentials to inmates.
In her address at the commissioning held last Thursday, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mrs. Louisa Ezenwo stated that the structures which had been in dismal state since 1998 were now furnished with one hundred bed space hostel, new dinning room, kitchen, new toilet system and a waiting hall.
The Permanent Secretary disclosed that the ministry also provided one hundred mattresses, pillows, bed sheets, ceiling fans, industrial gas cooker and one hundred buckets.
Mrs. Ezenwo assured that the Ministry of Social Welfare & Rehabilitation would strive towards maintaining the centre which housed seven sections including the destitute, mental retardation ward, clinic, lunatic section, craft, computer and chapel/recreation hall.
She recalled that the centre was initially built for widows but was upgraded as a general rehabilitation centre for the destitute, beggars and vagrant lunatics.
The Permanent Secretary projected that the ministry shall construct two fish ponds within the premises, improve craft centre, develop snail and mushroom farms as well as plant cassava and vegetables.
Mrs. Ezenwo commended the Iriebe council of chiefs and elders for their partnership and support in the execution of various government programmes, pledging that “in all certainty, we believe that where there is a will there is a way and for this centre, by December 2009, we hope to gather you all for the celebration of our first fruits”.
Speaking, the Secretary to the State Government, Hon. Magnus Abe stressed the need for every hand to be on deck in giving succour to the destitute.
Hon Abe who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Special Services, Governor’s Office, Mr. Sovens Okari restated Governor Rotimi Amaechi’s policy of giving attention to every human.
The SSG assured that he would support the ministry not only on rehabilitation but even for more structures that would touch lives of inmates positively.
He commended workers at the centre for their care and efforts at making lives better for the people.
Chairman of the occasion and Obio/Akpor council boss, Hon. Timothy Nsirim represented by his Special Adviser on Community & Chieftaincy Affairs, Hon. Okpobiri Ikechi commissioned the upgraded centre while Mr Gogo Isong who stood in for Head of Service, Mrs. Esther Anucha and Chief A.K. Horsfall who spoke separately all lauded the ministry for transforming the centre in line with the development policy of the present administration.
The event attracted the presence of the paramount ruler of Iriebe, Eze (Dr.) Francis Amadi, permanent secretaries from other ministries and Directors in the Social Welfare & Rehabilitation including Rev. Michael Toby (Social Welfare), Mrs. Grace Doku-Gin (Child Welfare) and the Director of Rehabilitation.
One of the inmates, Mr. Emmanuel Kio who told this reporter that he had been in the centre for the past six months on mental problem caused by drugs expressed satisfaction on their treatment, accommodation and feeding.
The inmate, recovery from his ailment said he would soon leave the centre to start a new life.
