Construction, engineering, and building company, Julius Berger Plc has been awarded a contract to build Nigeria’s first State-owned cancer and cardio-vascular diseases diagnostic and treatment center in the Rivers State capital, Port Harcourt.
The contract signing ceremony which took place at the Council Chambers of the Rivers State Government House, had the state governor, His Excellency, Ezenwo Nyesom Wike) and the Deputy Governor, Dr. Mrs. Ipalibo Harry Banigo, in attendance.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, the Governor disclosed that the multi-billion Naira project is for a 14-months completion period and challenged the construction firm to complete and deliver the project for commissioning as scheduled by the Government.
“People ask: why should it be Julius Berger that will build it, and I ask why not Julius Berger? Our people need the best infrastructures, and in this country, we all agree that Julius Berger builds and delivers only the very best and lasting infrastructures. We chose Julius Berger to help us build it not only well, but also successfully within its scheduled completion time as experience has taught us the company always do with projects they undertake.”
In his remarks, the Managing Director of Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, Engr. Dr. Lars Richter described the project as a special one in the sense that it is a medical facility that has the potential to alleviate suffering and serve as a beacon for care for the diagnosis and treatment of chronic disease in Nigeria.
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He stated that the project is to serve as a catalyst and inspiration for the development of reliable, high-quality healthcare solutions in Nigeria, and designed with advanced healthcare services such as Chemotherapy and Nuclear Medicine”.
A 72 -bed capacity facility, patient accommodation, other features include, a dedicated ICU/CCU patient accommodation ward; critical care areas for immune-compromised patients; and private isolation bed wards.
Additionally, the hospital will also feature outpatient procedure capacities, a fully equipped Pathology laboratory, a fully equipped Radiology department, two full theatres and one Cath-lab with full support infrastructure, electronic and mechanical systems, and equipment, doctors consulting rooms for inpatient and outpatient consultation, a pharmacy: as well as a coffee shop and restaurant facility for visitors and patients refreshments.
Julius Berger MD, further explained that the building has been designed using the “best practice” principle for hospitals and will be equipped with the most modern medical diagnostic equipment.
This, “means that in planning the facility, there was a careful consideration of the patient and service flow, to ensure a highly efficient and thoughtful environment – ensuring hospital functions remain out of sight to patients and visitors, in order to provide a quieter, calmer more therapeutic stay and an improved recovery”. Richter further said that the building has also been “future-proofed”, having been designed to be “extension ready, to accommodate additional facilities or services for possible new advanced treatment and care in the future”.
He commended the Rivers State Government for its vision and foresight in conceiving the facility, adding that the project is a meaningful effort to address the gaps in radiotherapy and cancer treatment in Nigeria.
“The state-of-the-art and modern cancer treatment center will reduce suffering, reduce morbidity and reduce the need for the seeking of treatment abroad by improving cancer treatment in Nigeria – and making Rivers State the new medical tourism destination”, said Lars Richter. The Rivers State Government, he added, “has shown a true investment in infrastructure for progress, not only in roads and flyovers but also in the development of key building infrastructure and healthcare services.”
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Speaking on the scope of the project, the Julius Berger Managing Director explained that the project will consist of a 3-story building that covers a gross building area of 11,300 m2, and is to be completed over a 14- month construction period, promising, however, to deliver the hospital project to the highest quality of works.
“We are honored to be the chosen partners for the construction of this specialized hospital. I am confident, and without doubt, that with the strong commitment of our client and the project consultants, Julius Berger will unfailingly deliver on the project requirements, on time – to ensure that this specialized hospital starts to provide the healing that so many people need”.
The foundation laying ceremony for the project followed immediately at the project site located at Ikwere road, Rumuokwuta, Obio-Akpor Local Government Area after the contract was signed the Honourable Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie E. Enahire
Other important dignitaries at the foundation laying ceremony included the former Governor of Rivers State Dr. Sir Peter Odili and his wife the Honourable Justice Mary Odili of the Supreme Court of Nigeria, former Governor of the State, Sir Celestine Omehia, former and serving members of the National Assembly as well as the Rivers State House of Assembly, led by the Hon. Speaker, Rt. Hon. Ikuinyi-Owaji Ibani, Members of the State Executive Council, Secretary to the State Government Traditional Rulers and Youths and Women organizations from across the State.
At the Julius Berger side, the Managing Director of Julius Berger Nigeria Plc was accompanied by the Regional Manager, South-South/South East operations, Engr. Juergen Fischer, Management staff and project coordinator Chief Sam Ngbor, Project Manager, Rimon Marisho, Contract Manager Barr. Mrs. Omonigho Brown; and the Head, Media Relations Office of the Julius Berger Nigeria Plc Group, Prince Moses Duku.
