By Musa Isa Ahmed
Worried by the failure of past and present governments to ensure the completion of Mayo Belwa general hospital, the member representing Mayo Belwa constituency in Adamawa State house of assembly, Ibrahim Italiya had mobilized critical stakeholders in the local government to ensure completion of the project.
The lawmaker noted that in view of the importance of the project to the teeming people of the local government, he convened the stakeholders parley without recourse to partisan considerations.
Some of the stakeholders at the meeting include; the chairman of the local government represented by his deputy Hon Abubakar Mallam Babba, former chairman of the local government, Hon Mohammad Bako and SSA on SDGs to governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, Umaru Gidado.
Others are; APC ALGON chairman, Alhaji Babangida Talase, SA to governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri on Livestock and Aquaculture, Aminu Sebore and former ES PHCDA Mayo Belwa local government, Alhaji Yuguda Garba among others.
However Some indicated that Construction of 150 bed hospital started in 2008 under the Nyako led administration, but the project is still a mirage 13 years later due to government procrastination and some contractual bottlenecks.
Elucidating the rationale behind the stakeholders meeting, Italiya who is also the chairman house committee on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) said, he was spurred to convene the meeting in order to address a major concern of the people of the area which is the availability of a good health institution.
” We the stakeholders have resolved to come together irrespective of party affiliation to confront this major challenge facing our people.
” We have resolved to approach the Federal Government, the state government, SDG office and every other place to ensure that this laudable and all important project has come to fruition for the sake of our people who are yet to have a befitting referral center.
” This meeting is a wake up call for all the stakeholders to come together and salvage the lot of our masses. In the same manner, we shall tackle other challenges facing our community,” Italiya said.
Also speaking, former chairman of Mayo Belwa local government, Hon. Muhammad Bako noted that building of the hospital started over ten years ago during the Murtala Nyako administration adding that unfortunately, the building not properly constructed.
He said the state government and the contractor were entangled in some legal tussles further stymying the progress of the work.
Bako noted that previous governments after Nyako did little or nothing to ensure the completion of the project prompting the concerned stakeholders to make the audacious move.
Also speaking, the Senior Special Assistant to governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri on SDGs Alhaji Umaru Gidado also assured the commitment of the state government towards the completion of the project.
He stated that one of the cardinal priorities of the Fintiri led administration is to ensure good health for all citizens through the construction of new hospitals and rehabilitation of existing ones.
He said the governor is also working hard to equip hospitals in the state with tools and qualified staff for the benefit of all citizens.
Gidado assured the stakeholders that as a son of the soil, he will put the needed pressure and work with like minds to ensure that the project becomes a reality.
