GOV. DIRI INAUGURATES OXGYEN PLANTS ACROSS ALL SENATORIAL DISTRICTS
Posted: Sat Aug 23, 2025 9:18 am
SPEECH BY THE HONOURABLE COMMISSIONER FOR HEALTH, PROFESSOR SEIYEFA BRISIBE, AT THE COMMISSIONING OF THE PRESSURE SWING ADSORPTION (PSA) PLANT, GENERAL HOSPITAL, SAGBAMA
Protocol
Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, it is with a heart of gratitude and deep joy that I stand before you today at this historic occasion — the commissioning of the Pressure Swing Adsorption (PSA) Plant here at the General Hospital, Sagbama.
First and foremost, let me sincerely thank His Excellency, Senator Douye Diri, our Governor, for his unwavering passion and commitment to transforming healthcare in Bayelsa State. Through his robust support, the Bayelsa Health Insurance Scheme has expanded to over 200 healthcare facilities. The reconstruction of the Ofoni 1 Primary Health Centre in Sagbama Local Government Area, the commissioning of the Haemodialysis Centre at the 500-bed hospital, and several other initiatives reaffirm our Governor’s vision to strengthen frontline healthcare services under the Assured Prosperity Agenda.
Your Excellency, today’s milestone is a direct fruit of your vision, and we are grateful.
I must also acknowledge and thank the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Nimbofa Ayawei, our Special Guest of Honour, who has always been a reliable friend and ally of the Ministry of Health. Sir, your steadfast support has been a source of encouragement in driving forward the health agenda of this administration.
Distinguished guests, for many years, the absence of an oxygen plant in Bayelsa left us in difficult and painful situations. Too many times, doctors and nurses watched helplessly as patients in dire need of oxygen struggled for breath. Families would race against time, searching for cylinders from neighbouring states, while the minutes ticked away. Oxygen is life. It is invisible, yet indispensable. A patient can survive without food for days, even without water for some time, but without oxygen, life hangs by only a few minutes.
That is why today is more than a commissioning ceremony. It is a moment of relief and victory for healthcare in our dear state. And importantly, it is not just Sagbama that is celebrating. With the plants here in Sagbama, at FMC Yenagoa, and at General Hospital Brass, Bayelsa now has oxygen plants strategically located across the three senatorial districts of our state. This means no matter where you come from — East, Central, or West — oxygen will now be closer, more reliable, and more affordable.
As part of its health system strengthening initiative, the Bayelsa State Government through the Ministry of Health, in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA), and the Global Fund, worked painstakingly to deliver this PSA Plant. It took months of planning, technical assessments, aligning of resources, and strong partnerships to make this dream a reality. Today, we see the fruits of that determination.
This commissioning marks a major milestone in medical oxygen sustainability and in the broader strengthening of Bayelsa’s health system. With these plants:
We are better prepared for emergencies — from pneumonia in children, complications during childbirth, asthma attacks, road traffic accidents, and outbreaks of disease.
We are building resilience against future epidemics and pandemics. The COVID-19 pandemic taught us that oxygen is not optional, it is critical.
We are reducing the financial burden on families, who previously had to endure the stress and cost of transporting cylinders from distant places.
What we are doing here today is about generations. A child who breathes today because of this plant may grow up to become the doctor who saves others tomorrow. A mother who survives childbirth because oxygen was available may raise leaders who will transform our society. The ripple effect of this facility is beyond what we can calculate.
As His Excellency, Governor Douye Diri, has wisely said: “Every setback is a setup for a comeback.” This plant is our comeback — transforming obstacles into opportunities for a healthier Bayelsa.
On behalf of the Ministry of Health, I want to deeply appreciate our partners — the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, NACA, and the Global Fund — for walking with us through this journey. Your commitment and technical expertise have been invaluable. I also thank the management and staff of the Ministry of Health, our health professionals across the state, and every stakeholder who contributed to making today possible.
Finally, I wish to reaffirm the dedication of the Bayelsa State Ministry of Health, under the Assured Prosperity Administration, to continually do all within our power to build a resilient and robust healthcare system. We also welcome all individuals, organizations, and development partners who share this vision, to join us in shaping a healthier Bayelsa.
Together, we can ensure that quality healthcare reaches every corner of our state.
Today, we breathe easier — both literally and figuratively — because we have taken a giant step forward. Together, let us continue to build a healthier, stronger, and more prosperous Bayelsa.
Thank you, God bless you, and God bless Bayelsa State.
Signed:
Professor Seiyefa Brisibe
Honourable Commissioner for Health Bayelsa State.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/7351474 ... 7S9Ucbxw6v
Protocol
Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, it is with a heart of gratitude and deep joy that I stand before you today at this historic occasion — the commissioning of the Pressure Swing Adsorption (PSA) Plant here at the General Hospital, Sagbama.
First and foremost, let me sincerely thank His Excellency, Senator Douye Diri, our Governor, for his unwavering passion and commitment to transforming healthcare in Bayelsa State. Through his robust support, the Bayelsa Health Insurance Scheme has expanded to over 200 healthcare facilities. The reconstruction of the Ofoni 1 Primary Health Centre in Sagbama Local Government Area, the commissioning of the Haemodialysis Centre at the 500-bed hospital, and several other initiatives reaffirm our Governor’s vision to strengthen frontline healthcare services under the Assured Prosperity Agenda.
Your Excellency, today’s milestone is a direct fruit of your vision, and we are grateful.
I must also acknowledge and thank the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Nimbofa Ayawei, our Special Guest of Honour, who has always been a reliable friend and ally of the Ministry of Health. Sir, your steadfast support has been a source of encouragement in driving forward the health agenda of this administration.
Distinguished guests, for many years, the absence of an oxygen plant in Bayelsa left us in difficult and painful situations. Too many times, doctors and nurses watched helplessly as patients in dire need of oxygen struggled for breath. Families would race against time, searching for cylinders from neighbouring states, while the minutes ticked away. Oxygen is life. It is invisible, yet indispensable. A patient can survive without food for days, even without water for some time, but without oxygen, life hangs by only a few minutes.
That is why today is more than a commissioning ceremony. It is a moment of relief and victory for healthcare in our dear state. And importantly, it is not just Sagbama that is celebrating. With the plants here in Sagbama, at FMC Yenagoa, and at General Hospital Brass, Bayelsa now has oxygen plants strategically located across the three senatorial districts of our state. This means no matter where you come from — East, Central, or West — oxygen will now be closer, more reliable, and more affordable.
As part of its health system strengthening initiative, the Bayelsa State Government through the Ministry of Health, in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA), and the Global Fund, worked painstakingly to deliver this PSA Plant. It took months of planning, technical assessments, aligning of resources, and strong partnerships to make this dream a reality. Today, we see the fruits of that determination.
This commissioning marks a major milestone in medical oxygen sustainability and in the broader strengthening of Bayelsa’s health system. With these plants:
We are better prepared for emergencies — from pneumonia in children, complications during childbirth, asthma attacks, road traffic accidents, and outbreaks of disease.
We are building resilience against future epidemics and pandemics. The COVID-19 pandemic taught us that oxygen is not optional, it is critical.
We are reducing the financial burden on families, who previously had to endure the stress and cost of transporting cylinders from distant places.
What we are doing here today is about generations. A child who breathes today because of this plant may grow up to become the doctor who saves others tomorrow. A mother who survives childbirth because oxygen was available may raise leaders who will transform our society. The ripple effect of this facility is beyond what we can calculate.
As His Excellency, Governor Douye Diri, has wisely said: “Every setback is a setup for a comeback.” This plant is our comeback — transforming obstacles into opportunities for a healthier Bayelsa.
On behalf of the Ministry of Health, I want to deeply appreciate our partners — the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, NACA, and the Global Fund — for walking with us through this journey. Your commitment and technical expertise have been invaluable. I also thank the management and staff of the Ministry of Health, our health professionals across the state, and every stakeholder who contributed to making today possible.
Finally, I wish to reaffirm the dedication of the Bayelsa State Ministry of Health, under the Assured Prosperity Administration, to continually do all within our power to build a resilient and robust healthcare system. We also welcome all individuals, organizations, and development partners who share this vision, to join us in shaping a healthier Bayelsa.
Together, we can ensure that quality healthcare reaches every corner of our state.
Today, we breathe easier — both literally and figuratively — because we have taken a giant step forward. Together, let us continue to build a healthier, stronger, and more prosperous Bayelsa.
Thank you, God bless you, and God bless Bayelsa State.
Signed:
Professor Seiyefa Brisibe
Honourable Commissioner for Health Bayelsa State.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/7351474 ... 7S9Ucbxw6v