Hela Governor commits K10 million for Komo District hospital renovation

On Monday this week, Hela Governor Philip Undialu visited the Komo District Hospital in the Komo-Hulia District and committed K10 million to hospital renovation.

The hospital was damaged by a 7.5 magnitude earthquake in February 2018, left hundreds of people inaccessible to basic health services.

Governor Undialu made the pledge in the presence of Hela Provincial Health Authority CEO Dr. James Kintwa, health workers, and the local community, and mentioned that the funding would be formally announced at tomorrow’s Provincial Assembly meeting.

Dr. Kintwa voiced concerns over ExxonMobil's failure to refurbish the hospital buildings since the earthquake.

"The Hela PHA had already renovated and revived other health facilities in the district, and ExxonMobil, as the developer, was supposed to assist in renovating the hospital but had failed miserably.

"Hela PHA had presented the full report of the damage to them," he said.

Governor Undialu says he believes that ExxonMobil would step in following his visit.

He said after the funding and the visit; he will write to them formerly for their assistance.

Meanwhile, NBC News is in the process of seeking comments from ExxonMobil.