Senate Pass Bill to Establish Federal Oil and Gas Hospital in Gbaramatu Kingdom, Delta State

The Nigerian Senate has passed a bill establishing the Federal Oil and Gas Hospital in Benikrukru, Gbaramatu Kingdom, Delta State a move aimed at delivering specialized healthcare to oil and gas workers and host communities affected by industrial operations in the region.

The bill, titled Federal Oil and Gas Hospital, Benikrukru (Establishment) Bill, 2025 (SB. 847), was read for the third time and passed after a clause-by-clause review. It was sponsored by Senator Onwakpo Thomas Joel (APC, Delta South) and presented by Senator Ipalibo Harry Banigo (PDP, Rivers West), Chair of the Senate Committee on Health (Secondary & Tertiary).

In her remarks, Senator Banigo said the hospital would provide critical care for people routinely exposed to the environmental and occupational hazards of oil exploration, such as terminal illnesses, cancers, and industrial injuries.

“Oil workers and local residents face immense health risks,” she stated. “This facility will offer specialized treatment, reduce emergency response time, and bring quality medical services closer to those who need it most.”

The bill garnered wide support during its public hearing, with stakeholders emphasizing the hospital’s potential to address deep-rooted health and environmental challenges that have fueled agitation and instability in the Niger Delta.

Senator Joel, in his lead debate, described the facility as “a strategic intervention,” both for the oil and gas workforce and for the surrounding communities often left to bear the brunt of exploration activities.

“This hospital is long overdue. It will deliver targeted care, reduce downtime for industry workers, and show host communities that their welfare matters,” he said.

Joel highlighted that Delta South Senatorial District accounts for Nigeria’s highest offshore crude oil production and is home to major operators such as Chevron, Shell, Total, ExxonMobil, and Agip. He emphasized the importance of locating the hospital in Benikrukru, right in the heart of the region’s oil-producing hub.

Addressing concerns about funding, Joel clarified that the hospital would not rely on federal allocations but would be financed through the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), which receives one percent of every contract in the oil and gas sector.

With the Senate’s approval, the bill now moves to the House of Representatives for concurrence.