By Peter Onyekachukwu 
By Peter Onyekachukwu Warri
DELTA: The Federal Government has taken a major step toward the establishment of the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) Ovwian in Delta State, with a ministerial team inspecting the proposed permanent site and the temporary take-off facility at General Hospital, Otor-Udu.
Leading the team, the Director of Hospital Services at the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Jimoh Salaudeen, assured that operations would commence soon in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s directive.
He said, “We are here on the president’s mandate to ensure the swift establishment of FMC Ovwian. The state government has provided a temporary site, and within three to six months, activities should begin,” he stated.
He emphasized that the facility would bring top-tier medical services closer to the people of Delta Central and Delta South, noting that similar FMCs in Kafanchan and Epe had already commenced operations. “Once a Medical Director is appointed and staff recruitment begins, we expect the hospital to be fully functional,” he added.
Community leaders and stakeholders welcomed the development, expressing gratitude for the federal government’s commitment.
The President-General of Ovwian Community, Comrade Joseph Dele Okuku, commended President Tinubu and Hon. Francis Waive, the lawmaker representing Udu/Ughelli Federal Constituency, for their roles in securing the project. He called for the engagement of local contractors and the employment of residents to ensure community participation.
Hon. Waive described the FMC as a transformative project for healthcare delivery in Delta State. “Before now, residents traveled long distances to access federal medical facilities.
This hospital will not only save lives but also create jobs and drive economic growth,” he said. He assured that collaboration with the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and private sector investors would accelerate the project.
The Udu Local Government Council Chairman, Chief Vincent Oyibode, also lauded the initiative, stating that the hospital’s presence would inspire more young people to pursue careers in medicine and healthcare.
The federal inspection team included senior officials from the Ministry of Health, alongside Delta State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Joseph Onojaeme, and other top health officers. With all approvals in place, residents of Udu and surrounding areas eagerly anticipate the launch of FMC Ovwian, which promises to be a game-changer for the region’s healthcare system.