Warri – As part of her Corporate Social Responsibility and effort towards curtailing the spread of COVID 19 in Delta State, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC)/Chevron Nigeria Ltd Joint Venture has donated a Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) laboratory facility to Warri.

In addition , test kits, medical consumables, five air conditioners, refrigerators and a 50-KVA soundproof generating set as well as the renovation of the four-bedroom laboratory building were also donated at the Warri Central Hospital.

Speaking at the handing over ceremony of the state-of-the-art facility on Tuesday in Warri, General Manager, Policy, Government and Public Affairs of CNL, Mr Esimaje Brikinn, said the gesture was a part of the overall contributions of CNL to the fight against COVID-19.

According to him, the donation would ensure early detection of COVID-19 cases for isolation and treatment in Warri and environs.

While commending the leadership of the Delta State government in the coordination of the oil and gas sector’s response in the fight against the virus, Brikinn, who was represented by Area Manager, PGPA Field Operations, Warri, Sam Daibo, said,

“The aim is to support the government in the fight against the spread of COVID-19 in Delta by enhancing early detection of cases for isolation and treatment within Warri and environs.

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“This is why we’re fully involved in the NNPC-led initiative to provide both tactical and strategic support to the coordinated efforts of government in the fight against COVID-19 in our country by halting its spread,” he noted.

Director of Health Services/CEO Delta State Hospital Management Board and representative of the Delta State Commissioner for Health, Dr Mrs F. E. Omoraka, lauded NNPC/Chevron JV for adding another molecular laboratory testing lab to the one in Asaba.

Assuring a judicious use and discreet maintenance of the centre, Dr Omaraka further thanked NNPC/Chevron JV for their earlier provision of an ambulance, a ventilator, test kits, PPEs and medical consumables as well as three buses for contact- tracing activities to the state government.

Chief Medical Director (CMD), Warri Central Hospital, Dr Paul Okubor, said with the new molecular laboratory, results of COVID-19 samples, which usually took 72 hours from Asaba, will be provided faster.

Nigerian Observer gathered that results of a minimum of 120 and 240 maximum of COVID-19 samples can be simultaneously got in two hours, thirty minutes from the molecular laboratory.