5th Anniversary: Gov Emmanuel commissions Isolation Center
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… reassures A’Ibom of better days ahead
As part of events to commemorate his fifth anniversary in office, Governor Udom Emmanuel has commissioned the 300- capacity Isolation Center in Ituk Mbang, Uruan Local Government Area while reassuring citizens of Akwa Ibom state of better days ahead despite the gloomy picture painted by the Covid-19 pandemic.
Governor Udom Emmanuel and wife, Martha, accompanied by Deputy Governor, Mr Moses Ekpo Speaker of Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Aniekan Bassey and other dignitaries were led on a tour of the ultramodern facility by the Commissioner for Works, Mr Ephraim Inyangeyen after cutting a tape to inaugurate the centre.
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In his remarks, the governor recalled that exactly one year ago, the people of Akwa Ibom turn out massively to vote his administration into the office for a second term, triumphing over naysayers and tremendous opposition, adding that the facility is a benefitting structure that will tell the story of Akwa Ibom victory over the virus.
In his remarks, the governor stated healthcare in the state remains among the best in the country.
We have acquired 35 additional containers of medical equipment to set up 2020 standard Intensive Care Units in health facilities across all the 10 Federal constituencies. “We have cleared all those equipment and they are at our warehouse. All general hospitals will be equipped to the 2020 standard.
“The idea is that anywhere you are in Akwa Ibom State, you should be able to face access to 2020 medicare”.
He also announced that his administration has acquired more ambulances, “and would acquire many more to be placed at strategic locations to transport people to any general hospital so that we can be well assured of effective health care delivery. He said the situation room set up to tackle COVID 19 will outlive the pandemic and will still be available for medical emergencies.
“Once you call any of our numbers, the ambulance should be able to take you to the nearest hospital or transport you from one facility to the other.”
He thanked the Methodist church for allowing the Government to take over the management of the facility and thanked all those whose contributions have ensured the rapid transformation recorded in two years.
“Two years ago when I came here for renovation, I said that it will come to a time when 15 minutes and even one hour will be too much to travel out of this country for health care.”
He said presently, no senior citizen is able to travel outside for medical care and it would have been saddening if Akwa Ibom had not been ready for a time like this.
“There is no place like home and if you cannot develop your home, you will always have yourself to blame.”
He recounted that the World Health Organization officials who visited described the centre as a miracle and assured that it would help the state in the battle to eradicate the pandemic.
He explained that based on the contact tracing projections in the state, he had anticipated the number of infected persons, and warned that everyone should adhere to the management guidelines of COVID19.
He thanked local government chairmen, royal fathers and health workers for their efforts in sensitization and assured that the pandemic would soon come to an end.
Earlier, in a statewide broadcast to commemorate his fifth anniversary in office titled “Together, in Faith, we shall be counted as a great State with a Strong Economy”.
According to him, “the Post-Covid-19 Economic Reconstruction Committee which I inaugurated weeks ago is another proactive way we look at the economic fortunes of our State. As you are all aware, Nigeria is a mono-product economy propelled by oil.
“Today, the oil market is gloomy and completely bearish… Our State as the highest producer of crude oil in Nigeria given the challenging oil market prices would have to think out of the box, which necessitated the inauguration of the committee.
“We are hopeful that the recommendations the committee will come up with, will help us strategize and look at Akwa Ibom in a possible post-crude oil propelled economy”.
Governor Emmanuel reminded the people that in just five years, his administration has weathered severe global and national economic disasters yet managed to keep the state economically viable with tangible and sustainable projects.
“Shortly after I was sworn in, in 2015, the tailwind on our economic horizon was fiercely turbulent, brought about by the sharp drop in crude oil price, which later triggered a recession that lasted until late 2017. Even with what we were confronted with, we didn’t make excuses or engaged in pity party; we went to work and our various training as managers of men and resources came in handy.
“Today, because of the effects of Covid19, we are also experiencing similar challenging economic times. Like we did in the past, we will rise to the occasion and together, we will weather the storms and be counted as a great State with great economy.
“Without necessarily going into a full exposition of our scorecard, which thankfully you are well abreast of, which was the reason you voted for me to return as your Governor last year, it bears repeating that we have used the resources of this State to touch lives in the areas of industrialization, agriculture, education, healthcare delivery services, infrastructural development, aviation, youth and women empowerments, rural development, sports, tourism and others”.
While giving a sectoral breakdown of his achievements, the governor pointed out that every stakeholder must see the next generation of Akwaibomites as assets that must be nurtured, expanded and made ready for the future.
He, therefore, admonished that destroying the chords of state unity at the altar of partisan politics, or waging wars against brothers and sisters just to settle ancient animosities should be discouraged.
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