Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike says the National Assembly is to be blamed for the spate of project abandonment by the Federal Government.
The governor argued that National Assembly often allocates paltry funds to projects earmarked for execution every fiscal year when it knows that such funds are grossly inadequate to achieve any meaningful milestone.
He said that such practice has continued to encourage the abandonment of projects and promoted inadequacy in terms of governance, project delivery and public service.
“That is for a project that will cost N26billion, you are putting N500milion in the budget for one year. Then, it will now take you more than 20 years to achieve it. By then, the cost will move up from N26billion to one hundred and something billion Naira.
“That is why you see in this country abandonment of projects. If we are serious in this country to say that we will get the best, I can tell you that it is not impossible.”
Governor Wike spoke at the inauguration of the 72 beds at Dr. Peter Odili Cancer Cardiovascular Diagnostic and Treatment Centre in Port Harcourt, performed by His Highness, Emir of Kano, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero on Monday.
The governor noted that seamlessly, his administration delivered the center within the agreed timeline of 14 months for the good of Rivers people and Nigerians at large.
According to the governor, his administration has proven that through budgetary integrity, commitment and prudence nothing is too difficult to achieve in governance for Nigerians.
The governor stressed that the Rivers people deserve the best, which, is why the best quality has been delivered at the center similar to the best quality delivered on all other projects.
He mocked those who said they had set out to build the Justice Karibi Whyte Hospital that never came to limelight despite the huge fund put in that venture.
Governor Wike informed that already, there is partnership arrangement going on based on the strength of the understanding brokered with the United States Consul General, Mr Will Stevens.
The governor said Mr Stevens had visited the hospital and is currently making contacts with people who know how best to run hospitals profitably, which will be considered to take over the operations of the center.
He also explained that the facility was named after Dr. Peter Odili because he is one Rivers leader who had operated one of the best clinics in the State, served as governor meritoriously and now contributing to medical education in the State.
The governor expressed joy over the accomplishment of the center and stated that it stands as a report card and evidence of fulfillment of promise made to Rivers people.
Performing the inauguration of the project, His Highness, Emir of Kano, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero said it is pertinent to commend the sagacity and foresight of Governor Wike for initiating and actualizing such a novel project.
He noted that the center, which is the very first of its kind in the Niger Delta and Nigeria as a whole, will surely benefit people beyond the boundaries of the South-South region.
“The dreaded disease of cancer and its devastating effect on its victim cannot be overemphasized. It does not only destroy its victims and their families emotionally but renders them financially incapacitated.
“Consequently, cancer diagnosis and treatment can be said to be beyond the reach and affordability of the common man.
“So, with the commissioning of this center, those afflicted with this disease and other oncological ailments can at least breathe a sigh of relief, here is a succor at their doorsteps.”
He said that in the spirit of good neighborliness and being brother’s keepers, patients from neighboring states and even States as far as Kano will not be turned away from the God-sent cancer relief center.
According to him, there is no gainsaying that infrastructure of this magnitude is very difficult to maintain and appealed for a positive paradigm shift in attitude towards maintenance culture.
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“We call upon the incoming administration and the people of Rivers State to own this improved infrastructure by ensuring that this very vital center is well equipped and maintained at all times.
“The facilities should regularly be upgraded to meet global standards. The staff should be trained, retrained and updated on latest medical technology and innovation.
He also noted that it is a well-known fact that due to the oil and gas exploration in Niger Delta, some of the International Oil Companies (IOCs) may not have utilized the best global practices in their exploration in the Niger Delta.
Such negligence, he said had thereby exposed residents of this region to diseases caused by gas flaring and oil pollution of the ecosystems and environment.
“It is not also out of place to appeal to the federal government of Nigeria to borrow a leaf from the governor of River State and established similar centers in each of the geopolitical zones so as to alleviate the suffering of those with cancer and cardiovascular related issues.
“This is a good step towards saving our people from embarking on medical tourism, which benefits the economy of other countries at the detriment of ours, especially in these days of scarce and high foreign exchange rates.”
In his goodwill message, former governor of Rivers State, Dr. Peter Odili said he and his family are delighted for the honour done to them with such a center named after him while he is alive.
Dr. Odili said Governor Wike should have been a medical doctor because of the medical infrastructure he had provided in the State which are second to none in the history of Nigeria.
“Look at this edifice, the honourable commissioner for health has lectured us about the uniqueness of this centre. Everything he said about the center is true, I fully support and endorse it.
“The president of Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), has also spoken on it and said that there is no medical facility in this country, built by a state government that has everything you have here. None can see your break light in your healthcare program.
“The cancer center that you have also introduced here, has only three functions in the federal republic of Nigeria. This is one of the three. No other one belongs to State government; the other two belong to the federal government.”
In his speech, the NMA president, Dr. Uche Ojinmah noted with delight that Governor Wike fixed the inauguration of the center to coincide with the ongoing awareness campaign on cancer.
According to him, the administration of Governor Wike has been bold in the provision of medical infrastructure that promote public health and takes care of the patients.
In providing the description of the project, Commissioner for health, Prof. Princewill Chike said the Centre among other features has three theatres, Catheterization Laboratory, Radio therapy, Brachy therapy and nuclear medicine.
According to him, there is doctor’s quarters, Helipad, modern incinerators, 1000 & 800 KVA in series to power the center.
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