By Myke Uzendu, Abuja
Delta state Governor Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa on Wednesday eulozised and prayed for the elevation of his Sokoto state counterpart to a higher pedestal in the nation’s affairs.
Sen. Okowa made the commendations in Sokoto while commissioning a N3.2 billion state of the art Sokoto State Advanced Medical Diagnostic Center (SOSAMEDIC) constructed by the governor.
In his remarks before cutting the project tape, Okowa said, “Coming here, I have seen the way he relates with his people. That is what Nigeria needs.
“You are a man of peace who is always ready to build bridges. We are very thankful that God has ensured that you have held several positions. My prayers for you is that God will elevate you” he said
The Delta State governor also showered encomiums on the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, who he noted is committed to the Nigerian project.
The edifice is located a few kilometers from the 950-bed Sokoto State University Teaching Hospital (SOSUTH), which construction has reached over 60 per cent and has gulped N824 million and equipped with N2.4 billion ultra-modern equipment.
Facilities available in the centre include ECG, Stress ECG, Echocardiography, Vascular Doppler, Gastrology, Endoscopy, Neurology and EEG.
Others are upscale tools for diagnosis are those for MRI, CT scan, Fluoroscopy, Digital X-ray, Mammography, Chemical Pathology, Histopathology, Microbiology, and Hematology.
There are also equipments for radiology, laboratory, dental, and ENT units as well as out-patient clinics, with capacity for medical, radiological and laboratory investigations.
The medical complex is expected to be managed by Healthfield Medical Services Ltd, through a public-private partnership model, “the project”.
While describing the diagnostic center as closely-knit with the upcoming SOSUTH, Okowa applauded Tambuwal for his feat. “I want to congratulate my brother Governor (Tambuwal) for thinking about the people, because this is a project for the people and one that the people will cherish long after you have left the government as Governor.
“I am not surprised that you are able to render services to your people in such a manner that they are happy, because you have always been focused and believed in your people and those of Nigeria.
“I am not surprised with what I see here… It is only a prudent person that can ensure this level of construction at below a billion naira. Having told us about the equipment inside, I am excited that the new best of equipment have also been put on ground,” he further added.
Earlier in his remarks, Gov. Tambuwal informed the August gathering that the project was a product of consultations with Sultan Abubakar before the draft proposal of an annual budget a couple of years ago.
Harping on the need to further strengthen the ties of unity across the country, the Governor pointed out that the state doesn’t discriminate against other Nigerians living in it.
“Whoever lives in Sokoto enjoys the benefit of free education,” healthcare and every other services that the state avails its citizens, Gov. Tambuwal said, just as he stressed the need for national cohesion, integration and good governance as against divisive partisan politics.
Highlights of the occasion were cultural displays by Sokoto-born Deltans and Akwa-Ibom/Delta entertainment groups as well as distribution of four cars to the top management of the new SOSAMEDIC.
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