HOW IMO 27 LGA ULTRAMODERN HOSPITALS HAD REMAINED ABANDONED SINCE 2014
- News Analysis/Article
- October 9, 2024
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HOW IMO 27 LGA ULTRAMODERN HOSPITALS HAD REMAINED ABANDONED SINCE 2014
Pitch: This investigation reveals how former Imo Governor Rochas Okorocha started construction of what he called “Ultramodern hospitals” in the 27 Local Government Areas, in order to, according to him, offer qualitative healthcare services to people of the State. Till date, only Three had been completed and taken over.
They include that of Ikeduru LGA, which was completed and now occupied by an American Cancer Hospital. Also, The one of Owerri West LGA, located along Obinze road, is housing the Joint Task Forces(JTF), a combination of the security agencies in the State, while The Air Force in Imo had already occupied the Hospital building of Owerri North, situated along Owerri- Aba road.
INVESTIGATION SUMMARY:
We are going to uncover the Contractor that handled the project and the amount of money that was offered by the then Governor Okorocha to those that handled the ones at Ahiazu Mbaise, Ezinihitte Mbaise, Aboh Mbaise, Ehime Mbano, Okigwe, Onuimo, Isiala Mbano, Obowo, Ihitte-Uboma, Owerri Municipal, Mbaitoli, Ngor-Okpala, Oguta, Njaba, Isu, Nwangele, Oru East, Oru West, Ideato South, Ideato North, Orlu, Ohaji/Egbema, Orsu and Nkwerre LGAs of the State.
This medium found out, in our investigation, that some hospitals were leased out to Churches for a period of 25 years, a moratorium of 18 years and monthly rent of One Hundred Thousand (N100,000) through Public Private Partnership (PPP) was part of the agreement
We also uncovered, that the Okigwe ultra modern General Hospital was concessioned to Anglican Diocese of Owerri, that of Ehime Mbano ceded to the Diocese of Okigwe . and the Isiala Mbano General Hospital to Isi Mbano Anglican Diocese.
The Isu General Hospital, located at Umundugba, headquarters of the LGA, was also concessioned to the Catholic Claretian.
Others include; Ohaji/Egbema General Hospital, to the Chosen University for a period 99 years and 18 years moratorium in addition to the Orlu General Hospital to the Orlu United Medical for 25 years and the Obowo General Hospital to the family Health Foundation. We are going to find out from the above -mentioned groups.
THE CONTRACTOR AND AMOUNT ALLOCATED:
Ex- Governor Rochas Okorocha awarded a contract for construction of 27 General Hospitals across the LGAs in 2014, which gulped the sum of N1 billion, meaning that the State spent N27 Billion for the 27 Hospitals.
The contract was neither awarded to an individual nor a private construction company rather, the former Governor handed the project to his core loyalists during the “Rescue Mission” who built the Hospitals.
U- Monitors Tracker who visited that of Okigwe Council Area, at Abo- Umulolo Community, on Saturday, 11th May, 2024, gathered from an indigene, that hoodlums had turned the uncompleted building to their havens, while kidnappers terrorizing Okigwe communities now make use of the building as den for their victims.
We are going to uncover the Contractor that handled the project and amount that was offered by the then Governor Rochas Okorocha and find out reasons behind its abandonments.
THE IMPACT:
Our investigation of this story has the ability to expose any clandestine criminality that might have taken place and bring justice to those in the rural areas and restoring integrity of the former Rescue Mission administration and this topic.
Furthermore, The findings will spark off the need for greater transparency in governance at all levels governance especially in the Health Industry.
Not only that, this story will inspire reformation, sincerity of purpose and transparency among our elected officers and aid at checkmating abuses of power among them.
THE TARGETED BENEFICIARIES:
The main aim of building the ultramodern hospital was to give the poor, the aged, the Orphans the opportunities to get a quality healthcare and probably at a cheaper rate.
The hospital, aimed at providing a quality healthcare to those in the rural areas, when completed, would be providing a range of medical services such as Emergency, intensive,
Kidney, heart, vascular diseases
Back and spinal care to those that are in need of succour.
Kidney, heart, vascular diseases
Back and spinal care to those that are in need of succour.
Also, those old fathers and mothers in the rural areas that had lived with long-term illnesses such as diabetes, hyper titis, hypertension, pneumonia , cough, Malaria, Typhoid fever, stroke, neumatism, eye and heart- related issues, now heave sigh of relief as screenings and dialysis would always be conducted on them at a cheaper rate.
When completed and equipped, poor people in the Imo communities would benefit from the government and have access to a qualitative medical services.
