{
  "id": 16953291,
  "title": "UNICEF, FG, partners move to boost Rivers oxygen plant",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/28/unicef-fg-partners-move-to-boost-rivers-oxygen-plant",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-28T20:40:51.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Punch Nigeria",
    "slug": "punch-nigeria",
    "url": "https://punchng.com/unicef-fg-partners-move-to-boost-rivers-oxygen-plant/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Dr. Ifeyinwa Anyanyo, a UNICEF health specialist, and Hajia Fatima Haruna Ibrahim, an Associate Director at IHS Nigeria, led a joint inspection visit to the oxygen plant project in Eleme Local Government Area of Rivers State. The plant, constructed in 2023, was commissioned through a collaboration involving the Federal Ministry of Health, the Canadian Government, IHS Towers, and UNICEF. The inspection revealed that the state government had kept the facility running since its establishment, and UNICEF was satisfied with the state's commitment. UNICEF expressed readiness to support the expansion and sustainability of the project to increase access to medical oxygen, addressing the challenges faced during the COVID-19 pandemic response. The plant operator, Engr. Epelle ThankGod, reported that the plant's capacity to produce 18 cubic metres of oxygen per hour had been reduced to 20 cylinders of 40 litres per day due to inconsistent power supply. Dr. Bright Ogbonda, Chief Medical Director of the Rivers State Hospitals’ Management Board, appealed for solarization of the plant to enhance its production and profitability, as well as to ensure sustained support for the facility.",
  "summary": "UNICEF, IHS Towers, and the FG have reaffirmed their partnership to sustain and expand the Rivers oxygen plant, which is currently underproducing due to po Read More: https://punchng.com/unicef-fg-partners-move-to-boost-rivers-oxygen-plant/",
  "key_points": [
    "UNICEF and FG partner to boost Rivers oxygen plant",
    "Plant commissioned in 2023 with federal, Canadian, IHS, UNICEF collaboration",
    "Power supply issues limit oxygen production to 20 cylinders/day"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}