Gov. Otu Performs Groundbreaking for Construction of Ikom General Hospital

... to Commission Facility as Part of Administration's First Anniversary Strides

By: Kingsley Agim

Cross River State Governor, Senator Bassey Otu, has performed the groundbreaking ceremony for the upgrade of the Primary Healthcare Centre in Ikom to a full fledged General Hospital.

Performing the ceremony at the site in Ikom, recently,Governor Otu, who was represented by the State Commissioner for Health, Dr Henry Egbe Ayuk, said the approval of the State Executive Council for the construction an ultramodern General Hospital in Ikom was a response to the passionate plea of the Ikom people, which also underscores his administration's 'People First' mantra.

The Governor informed that the hospital which is billed to be completed before his first anniversary on May 29, 2024 will, among others, highlight his administration's giant strides and quick-fix policies, in response to the yearnings and aspirations of the citizenry barely one year on the saddle as Governor of Cross River State.

Describing the development as a gradual evolution of the people-centric interventions of the present administration from Calabar, the seat of power, to other parts of the State, Otu noted that the hospital, when completed, would solve the perennial dearth of a competent facility that would cater to the health needs of the old Ikom people (comprising Boki, Etung and Ikom) and environ.

"What makes this government stand out is its focus on the 'People's First,' equity and love. Ikom, Boki and Etung Local Governments are three crucial areas which constitute over twenty-five percent of the State's population. They needed a public hospital and that would soon come to fruition; that is the fundamental reason why the Otu led administration insisted on a project like this in Ikom," he averred.

"Health is not only for economic interventions but equitable social services. The health insurance scheme depends largely on having a General hospital around. We cannot allow people to be exploited in privately owned facilities. What we are beginning here is ensuring that people access quality healthcare services without falling into financial hardship.

"We do not want a situation where people go to the private sector for healthcare services and cannot find them. This particular hospital would reduce a lot of gaps limiting efficiency in healthcare service delivery," he stated.

The Governor thanked the Etayip community of Ikom for graciously donating large portions of land for the construction of the health facility.

He charged the community to take ownership of the ongoing construction by providing local security for the workers, equipment and other sundry support needed for the timely completion of the project which is meant to serve a critical area of need.

The Director of Local Government Health Authority, Ikom, Anthonia Owan, praised the Governor for his swift response to the request of the people to upgrade the Primary Healthcare Centre to a General Hospital.

Mr Etta Ekperebi, Chairman of Health Ward Development Committee, Ikom, was full of praise for the Otu led administration for giving attention to the people's yearnings and needs.

Earlier, a traditional ruler in Etayip community, His Highness, Ntufam Lawrence Okim Agbor conveyed the appreciation of the people to the Governor, while reiterating the community's stand on ceding the cemetery and the land before the high court to government for the upgrade of the healthcare facility.

He  assured the Governor that in a matter of days, the Ikom traditional council would make available a formal document ceding the aforementioned land to government.

In his remarks, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Peninsula Construction Company Limited, Engineer Eric Achu thanked Governor Otu for trusting in the ability of an indigenous contractor to handle the project.

"I make bold to say that when next he comes here in a couple of months time, he will have a cause to smile and know that he did not make any mistake choosing Peninsula Construction Company to handle the job. We are going to put in our best to showcase our professional competence," the Engineer assured.