…acquires additional 100 hectares for more medical facilities, services
Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has said the soon to be flagged off Medical City is aimed at advancing healthcare delivery and boosting tourism in the State in line with the ARISE Agenda.
Governor Eno stated this while fielding questions from Government House Correspondents after his inspection of ongoing preliminary works at the State medical city comprising Ibom International Hospital, world-class Diagnostics Centre, pharmaceutical industry, housing estate, and Elderly Home, among others located at Ikot Ada Idem, Ibiono Ibom Local Government Area.
The Governor who took a walk around major points in the city, expressed delight at the preliminary works, saying the project will be flagged off in the new year.
“Everything about healthcare will be happening here. We are about to even acquire additional 100 hectares of land for our future plans, like establishment of our pharmaceutical industry, and more,” he said.
Speaking further, he said “Everything we are doing now is tourism – whether it is medical, aviation, resort, infrastructure, agriculture, heritage, and the likes. In the next one year, the reality of all of these will be out for everyone to see.
“It is all coming together slowly. It’s a vision, it will take a while. And, we are interpreting it all gradually,” he assured.
He called on the private sector to partner with the State Government in various areas of the medical investments to establish a world-class medical facility that will stand the test of time for the overall benefit of the people and the State.
“No matter what you do, welfare of the citizenry includes health; and we need to create it. We must have an international diagnostics centre that is accredited internationally to serve our people and others,” he said.
The Governor disclosed that the State medical city is intentionally built closer and en route to the Four-point by Sheraton Hotel in Ikot Ekpene to have a facility that will provide five-star services to the expected medical tourists to the medical city.
He said a separate power grid will be provided to drive the facility, stressing that though it is an ambitious project, it will certainly be accomplished for its world-class services and as a boost to the economy of the state.
On the Governor’s entourage were the Executive Assistant and Chief Delivery Advisor, Mr. Aniefiok Johnson; Commissioner for Information, Hon Aniekan Umanah, Commissioner for Lands and Town Planning, Mr. Ubong Inyang; Commissioner for Housing, Dr. Henry Archibong; the State Surveyor-General, Mrs. Emem Isang; and other Government functionaries.
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