OKPANAM, Delta State — Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, has commissioned the newly completed Cottage Hospital in Okpanam, Oshimili North Local Government Area, as part of efforts to expand access to quality and affordable healthcare at the grassroots.
The commissioning, held on Tuesday, August 25, 2026, was performed on behalf of the Governor by his Deputy, Sir Monday Onyeme, who represented him at the ceremony.
The hospital project was initiated and executed by the Oshimili North Local Government Council under the leadership of its Chairman, Chief Innocent Esewezie.
The commissioning was accompanied by the flag-off of a six-day free medical care programme for residents of the area, aimed at providing essential healthcare services to members of the community.
Speaking at the event, Governor Oborevwori said the establishment of the facility was consistent with his administration’s M.O.R.E. Agenda, particularly its commitment to meaningful development and sustainable healthcare interventions across Delta State.
According to the Governor, access to quality and affordable healthcare should not be determined by a person’s location, stressing that bringing modern healthcare facilities closer to communities would reduce the burden of travelling long distances to access medical services.
He commended the Oshimili North Local Government Council for executing the project, noting that the facility would particularly benefit pregnant women, children, elderly persons and other residents who previously had to travel farther for healthcare.
Governor Oborevwori urged residents to protect and maintain the facility so that it could continue to serve present and future generations.
The Chairman of Oshimili North Local Government Area, Chief Innocent Esewezie, said the project was conceived out of the need to improve access to basic healthcare and strengthen grassroots development.
As part of the initiative, Esewezie also announced the immediate enrolment of 200 residents into the Delta State Contributory Health Commission.
The beneficiaries include 150 members of the Oshimili North Security Watch and 50 children with special needs from communities across the local government area.
The Director-General of the Delta State Contributory Health Commission, Dr. Isaac Akpoveta, called on other local government councils to increase enrolment in the scheme as a means of making healthcare more affordable and accessible to residents.
The commissioning marks another addition to healthcare infrastructure in Delta State and highlights the growing role of local governments in delivering development projects directly to communities.
