BY THE EDITOR
Edo State Government has revealed that part of the reasons for her refusal to open the so-called five star new accidents and emergency ward of the Central Hospital in Benin City is due largely to the shoddy job that was executed by the last administration of Comrade Adams Aliyu Oshiomhole.
Confirming earlier condemnation of the hospital construction, which many experts believed was over-priced, the Edo State Government revealed that, the state resorted to the phased opening of the hospital because all the equipment expected to operate the hospital wing have not been supplied due to allegations of fraud which exist as well as irregularities with the contract.
These disclosures were made by the Special Adviser to Governor Godwin Obaseki on Media and Communication Strategy, Mr. Crusoe Osagie, in a release a statement dated July 4, 2019.
Specifically, the report pointed out that; “the leaking roof is currently being mended and functional roofing sheets are being used to replace the substandard roof work done by the former contractors that handled the construction of the hospital.”
Going further, the Special Adviser said: “The offerings of the hospital are being calibrated to ensure each segment of the hospital renders top-notch care to patients.”
He explained further that: “The state government resorted to the phased opening of the hospital as all the equipment expected have not been supplied due to allegations of fraud which exist as well as irregularities with the contract.”
Osagie added that “based on the advice of local and international experts on the ‘operationality’ of the facility, the state government is carrying out a major structural adjustment on the facility.
“The ongoing repair work in Benin Central Hospital by the Edo State government, to enable Edo people use it, is yielding results.”
More worrisome is the confirmation of the circumstances that led to the collapse of a section of the hospital during construction, which claimed the life of the Managing Director of Sincies Chimentin Limited, the Italian firm that first handled the alleged inflated contract.
“Recall that portions of the hospital collapsed during construction due to the shoddy foundation work.” Osagie said.
The latest position of the state government is a far departure from the story that was told by the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Comrade Oshiomhole, that he procured all the equipment needed for the hospital to function before handing over to Governor Godwin Obaseki in 2016.
A recent fact finding visit by Midwest Herald newspaper revealed that vital components such as laundry room, water and appropriate beds that will aid the functionality of the healthcare facility have not been provided.
This development is a betrayal of the hurried commissioning of the hospital by President Muhammadu Buhari in 2016.