Asaba Central Hospital To Be Completed Nov 2017-Azinge

Efforts at completing the Asaba Central Hospital are in top gear as Governor Ifeanyi Okowa has revalidated the civil work of the hospital to be completed not later than November, 2017, the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Nicholas Azinge, has said.

Azinge, who was speaking while on inspection on the hospital, assured of timely completion of the hospital located within the Core Area, Asaba.

He revealed that the project has been on-going since Governor James Ibori administration and promised to vigorously pursue the project till completion.

Expressing delight at the resumption of work in earnest, he assured that resources will be made available to ensure the completion of the project.

While commending the efforts of Governor Okowa on the giant strides achieved so far in the health sector, despite the paucity of funds, Azinge noted that the hospital was dear to Asaba residents as evidenced in the turnout of a handful of youths at the site on hearing of the resumption of work. He added that the hospital would serve the elite comprising members of the executive, the judiciary, the legislators and the general public.

He assured all, especially the youths, present that His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Delta State is committed to the project, hence the efforts to see to its completion this year.

The commissioner and his team; comprising the Permanent Secretary, Dr. (Mrs.) Minnie Oseji and Dr. Winful Orieke, Director, Planning, Research and Statistics, were conducted round the project by Mr. Ayokunle Orungbemi and Mr. Dele Olawale, the Project Architect and General Manager, respectively. The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Dr. (Mrs.) Minnie Oseji expressed excitement witnessing the beginning of the end of this laudable project and commended the commissioner’s commitment to ensuring its completion.

The Special Adviser to the Commissioner, Dr. Chukwudi Okuguni, explained that the project, which was handled by 32 contractors was collapsed into one during the Uduaghan administration, adding that the contractor, DEUX Project has assured that the pharmacy and Accident and Emergency (A&E) unit of the hospital will be fully completed in the next two weeks.

Mr. Ayokunle Orungbemi, Project Architect explained that the flooring, windows and air conditioning systems are being worked on, while work at the physiotherapy and ante-natal sections would commence next week. The painting works will commence after the internal road network is completed as work on the road would dent the wall in the process. it was learnt.

He added that work on the first four buildings was almost done, while certificate will be issued upon completion to that effect and expressed satisfaction with the pace of work and availability of funds thus far, adding that, in the light of these, all civil works should be completed not later than November.
The Secretary of the Asaba Youth Movement, Engr. Mokogwu, who was at the site, thanked the administration of Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa for its administrations’ people-oriented projects.

Mr. Ayodele Paul of the Department of Planning, Research and Statistics added that the supply of medical equipment will follow as soon as civil work is completed. He assured of government’s commitment to the timely completion of the project.

By Rosemary Nwaebuni