Friday, January 11, 2019

EDO ULTRA MODERN HOSPITAL ABANDONED AFTER COMMSSIONING

2 YEARS PLUS AFTER: EDO MULTI BILLION NAIRA CENTRAL HOSPITAL ABANDONED AFTER COMMISSIONING

The new ultra modern multi billion naira Central Hospital, which was initiated and built by the immediate past administration of Comrade Governor Adams Oshiomhole, and commissioned by President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday, 5th November, 2016, along Benin-Sepele Road, by Kings Square, Benin City, Edo State, has been abandoned by the current administration of 'Wake and See' Governor Godwin Obaseki, two years plus after commissioning.

Although I cannot ascertain the state of medical equipment of the new standard hospital, but the non commencement of medical services in the architectural masterpiece edifice is my utmost concern here.

If the government has put the 200 bed capacity ultra modern hospital into use since its inauguration, with adequate equipment and personnel to man the edifice, it would have gone a long way to contribute to the medical development in Nigeria, thereby putting an end to medical tourism abroad by the Nigerian elites and politicians, which in turn would have boosted the revenue generation of the state government. But alas, due to lack of foresight and commitment of the present administration, the facility is left to rot away, not minding the billions of naira sunk into the project by the government.

The wasted industrial revolution drive of former Governor Lucky Igbinedion, saw the establishment of Fruit Juice Processing Factory, Ehor; Cassavita Processing Factory, Uromi; and Chemical Blending Plant, Ikpeshi, with billions of Edo peoples money sunk into the projects, but they could not see the light of day due to government negligence and zero adherence to continuity in government business by successive administrations.

The spate of abandoned projects dotting the landscape of Edo State is too alarming. I therefore appeal to Governor Godwin Obaseki, to as a matter of urgency put the ultra modern Central Hospital into full operation, so that it will not go the same way of the aforementioned abandoned projects by the Edo State government.

God bless Edo State.
God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.