The Honourable Commissioner for Health in Akwa Ibom State, Dr. Ekem Emmanuel John, has dismissed rumors circulating about the alleged abandonment of the Ibom Specialist Hospital in Uyo. According to Dr. John, the state government, under the leadership of Governor Umo Eno, has no intention of abandoning the hospital.
Instead, the government plans to revamp and requip areas of the hospital that require attention. Dr. John also highlighted the government’s commitment to completing the Akwa Ibom State University Teaching Hospital in Onna, a project initiated by the previous administration.
The health commissioner speaking during a radio show ‘ARISE AkwaIbom’ assured the public that the state government is working to address the challenges facing the Specialist Hospital and emphasized the need for patience as the government works to improve the facility. “With the government’s avowed commitment towards revamping the Specialist Hospital and completing the State University Teaching Hospital, residents can expect improved healthcare services in the state. But these things do not happen over night. It requires proper planning and implementation. The goal is not to look good in the eyes of a few persons on social media. My job is implementation the strategic deliverables available in the ARISE Agenda of Governor Umo Eno in a manner that not only yields the best possible value for money in favour of our dear state and the majority of our people but also guarantees long term sustainability”.
The Commissioner highlighted the fact that as part of that move, the Governor has ordered some medical equipment for the hospital thus dismissing the heavily discussed rumours of abandonment has illogical.
“How do you spend huge resources to procure equipment for a facility you have decided to abandon? It doesn’t even add up. In any case, the Governor is popularly referred to as the man with the finisher’s anointing. Others call him “the Completer”. This is a Governor who has completed several projects from the last two administrations and is currently working to complete the Ibom Tropicana Hotel and the massive 5000 seater capacity International conference centre. So where is the logic that forms the building plank for the thought of abandonment of Ibom Specialist Hospital?”
In a similar manner, the Commissioner dismissed questions of criticising former Governor and Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio. “Through out the Townhall meeting nobody, not myself as Honourable Commissioner or any of the participant mentioned the name of any of our former leader. Why would that thought even come up? Is he the medical doctor who ran the place? On what basis really? The event was recorded and transmitted live and I challenge the fifth columnists at work to share the video. My brother my focus is to do the work assigned to me by our leader and Governor, His Excellency, Pst Umo Eno. I would not join issues with anyone.”
The Commissioner urged Akwa Ibom people to continue to support the bold innovations that the Governor is pursuing for the good of the state.
