Waive, Thomas, Pondi, Others Praise Tinubu’s Approval of Critical Bills

Key stakeholders in the Niger Delta have hailed President Bola Tinubu following his approval of two critical bills aimed at boosting healthcare and education in the region.

The bills, which establish a Federal Medical Centre in Udu Local Government and a Federal Maritime University in Warri South-West (both of Delta State), are seen as transformative moves to address long-standing challenges in the region.

Sponsor of Federal Medical Centre bill, Hon. Francis Waive, Member, representing Ughelli North, Ughelli South, and Udu Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives disclosed this via a social media post. Waive expressed deep gratitude to President Tinubu for signing the bill into law after years of advocacy in both the 9th and 10th National Assemblies.

“My Bill establishing Federal Medical Centre Ovwian signed into Law by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu! Mr President, I am grateful,” he wrote.

The passage of these bills was also celebrated by the House of Representative member for Warri Federal Constituency, Hon. Thomas Ereyitomi. Ereyitomi commended the President for signing the Federal Maritime University bill into law stating that the establishment of the university would elevate Nigeria’s maritime industry and provide young Nigerians with a pathway to becoming global professionals in the field.

Along with his colleague, Hon. Julius Pondi, representing Burutu Federal Constituency, Delta State, hailed the signing of the bill as a major milestone for the region following years of advocacy. Pondi, who has long campaigned for improved infrastructure in the Niger Delta, stated that these bills would help unlock new opportunities for education and employment for young people in the area.

Former Niger Delta militant leader and Chairman of Tantita Security Services, Government Ekpemupolo (also known as Tompolo), welcomed the passage of the bill. He stated that the signing of the bill into law provided full legal backing to the Maritime University, which had struggled to reach its potential since its establishment in 2014 due to the absence of an enabling Act, but can now thrive with the new legal framework.

The new Federal Medical Centre and the Federal Maritime University are expected to have far-reaching impact on the Niger Delta region, long recognized as a region rich in resources but often lacking in the infrastructure needed to ensure sustainable development.

While the healthcare facility will deliver essential medical services to a region that has long faced inadequate healthcare infrastructure, the university will support the development of maritime education, a crucial industry for Nigeria’s economy.