The Eye Newspaper: Looking Glass: The Euphoria that Saluted the Official Handing Over, Inauguration of Maternity Block at Ndu

On December 26, 2012, fire consumed the maternity block and the pharmacy section of the Ndu District Hospital in Donga Mantung Division. Four years after the fire incident, Ndu District Hospital bounces back with an ultra modern maternity block funded by DANA Petroleum LTD, an exploration company based Ndian Division in the South West Region.

There was fanfare and ecstasy at the Ndu District Hospital as the Senior Divisional Officer for Donga Mantung Division officially performed the inauguration rite of the newly constructed block to host the maternity funded by DANA Petroleum LTD. Holding the ribbon from left to right beside Donga Mantung SDO were the Chief Executive Officer of DANA Petroleum, the Mayor of Ndu, the Member of Parliament for Donga Mantung Centre, the Divisional Officer for Ndu, the Country Representative of Toprock, HRH the Fon of Ndu, the chief Executive Officer of Harmony Ventures, the District Medical Officer and the Divisional Delegate for Public Works for Donga Mantung Division.

Singing and dancing skyrocketed when the keys of the edifice were handed to Donga Mantung SDO, Ngone Ndodemesape Bernard by the CEO of DANA Petroleum LTD, Ta Nformi Ralph Manyi. It was the Ta Shey Gadima Mejamah, the Chief Executive Officer of Harmony Ventures (contractor) who earlier on handed the keys of the newly constructed edifice to the funder. Drum beats and sounds echoed into the hills of Ndu as pregnant women, mothers, fathers and would-be mothers and fathers showed signs of relief on their faces for a dream come true.

Donga Mantung SDO described the support as a mark of sustainable development. To Ngone Ndodemesape Bernard, DANA Petroleum LTD has moved out of the madding crowd to impact lives in communities. He urged other elites to emulate the example of Tamfu Simon to lobby for projects that can impact lives in their communities.

What they Said:

HRH The Fon of Ndu (Wiya Clan Head)

In his words, HRH the Fon of Ndu expressed gratitude to DANA Petroleum LTD for the timely support that will go a long way to impact lives positively in his fondoms and the municipality. He equally expressed gratitude to those who ceded their land for the construction project as well as everyone who was involved in the chain. The fon of Ndu particularly thanked Tamfu Simon of SNH for lobbying for the funding. The Wiya Clan head also used the opportunity to pour showers of praises on Ta Shey Gadima Mejamah for putting in place the edifice.

Bunyui Emmanuel Nyugab (Mayor of Ndu)

On his part the Mayor of Ndu, Bunyui Emmanuel Nyugab reminded the population that the gift from DANA Petroleum was life-saving one. He lauded the company for moving out of their area of intervention to Ndu municipality to fund a project that will go a long way to improve on the living conditions of the population. Like Oliver Twist, Bunyui Emmanuel Nyugab expressed the need the Ndu District hospital to have a mortuary. He used the occasion to extend a hand of need to TOPROCK and DANA Petroleum LTD. He said the people of Ndu will never forget the laudable efforts deployed by Tamfu Simon to lobby and obtain funding for the construction project. “I should like to thank Ta Shey Gadima Mejamah who won the contract and as you can all see has done a very good job”, he continued. Prospects, he added are high at that the collaboration between the population of Ndu and DANA, TOPROCK will change lives positively in the municipality. He applauded all the stakeholders that were involved in the planning and execution of the project and promised that the Ndu council will make sure that flowers are planted and the edifice will be put into judicious use. In a satirical tone the mayor said even those who have stopped giving birth may bounce back while those who were not yet married will hurriedly do so to enjoy the facilities. To the medical staff, he prescribed hard work and diligence.

Ta Nformi Ralph Manyi (CEO of DANA Petroleum LTD)

Ta Nformi Ralph Manyi, the Chief Executive Officer of DANA Petroleum told the population of Ndu that by financing the project, his company is playing government role to make sure that benefits from petroleum is shared nationwide. He also added that though from the initial stage, the project was to be financed by two companies, the withdrawal of one partner did push DANA Petroleum to pack out but rather, they took the heavy responsibility to fund the project. He said at DANA Petroleum, one of their objectives is to provide support to communities as part of its corporate social responsibility. And it is thanks to Tamfu Simon that DANA Petroleum which is based in Ndian had to move out of its area of intervention to finance the Maternity Block at Ndu District hospital. He expressed gratitude to the Divisional Officer of Ndu, the Divisional Delegate of Public Works for Donga Mantung and Ta Shey Gadima Mejamah for the wonderful job, and supervision. In his concluding statement, Ta Shey Ralph Manyi said the relationship between DANA and Ndu municipality is on a good footing.