Abia State Governor, Dr Alex Otti, OFR, has performed the ground breaking ceremony for the construction of the first Ukwa East General Hospital, at Ohanku – Ndoki.
Performing the ground breaking ceremony at Ohanku, Ukwa East LGA, the Governor said that the project is a fulfilment of his administration’s commitment to providing quality healthcare to every nook and cranny of the State and make healthcare delivery accessible to all Abians.
Governor Otti noted that the establishment of the hospital aligns with his vision of building a responsive and inclusive healthcare ecosystem capable of meeting the needs of urban and rural communities.
Governor Otti thanked Eze Chibuzor Chinyere for donating to the State, a befitting piece of land for the hospital project, and acknowledged the requests presented by the member representing Ukwa East/Ukwa West Federal Constituency, Hon. Chris Nkwonta.
“I just want to thank His Royal Majesty for receiving us. Thank him for his generous comments.
” I can assure you that your requests are in order. Also the requests made by Honourable Chris Nkwonta are also in order.
“Interestingly, we are already working on Abia Palm and in no distant future, you will see it function. And of course, the 19.5 nautical miles into the high sea is correct,” Gov. Otti stated.
Governor Otti revealed that scooping work had commenced from the end point of the reconstructed and commissioned Ohanku Road, Aba leading into the Ohanku community in Ukwa East LGA.
The former Senate President, Senator Adolphus Wabara commended Governor Otti for prioritising healthcare infrastructure above political party and political linings and commended the Governor’s holistic approach to healthcare delivery
and said that history will remember his administration kindly.
Senator Wabara said that the project speaks eloquently of the Governor’s resolve, saying that, “This hospital will undoubtedly serve as a lifeline – reducing maternal and infant mortality, enhancing emergency response, strengthening access to quality healthcare delivery and restoring confidence in public institutions,” Sen. Wabara stated.
Also speaking, the member
representing Ukwa East and West Federal Constituency, Hon. Chris Nkwonta while appreciating Governor Alex Otti for breaking the jinx and flagging-off such a gigantic project; the first General Hospital in Ukwa East after the commissioning of a cottage hospital in the area immediately after independence in 1961, noting that some people may be surprised that he had to come to identify with the Governor, but said that he has no option than to identify with good governance.
“I know some people will be surprised to see me here. You shouldn’t be surprised.
“Since 1999, this is the first time we are seeing a Governor coming to Ukwa East to flag off such a gigantic project.
“What you have come to do here today is remarkable. It’s about good governance, and that’s is what we have come here to do,” Hon. Nkwonta stated.
The Federal law maker further requested the Governor to think about what he can do for the abandoned Abia Palm, as well as what could be done for the Azumini River among other things.
The Commissioner for Health Professor Enoch Ogbonnaya Uche said that Governor Otti prioritises healthcare across the State.
He noted that, it is based on the commitment of Governor Otti to delivering quality, affordable and accessible healthcare that the Governor decided to build a functional world class General Hospital for the people of Ukwa East after renovating and retrofitting 11 Primary Healthcare Centres across Ukwa East Local Government Area.
In his speech, a son of the soil and the Honourable Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu described the event as a definining moment for the people of Ndoki.
He thanked the Governor for the project and said that the project is a testament of the people’s centred administration of the Governor, adding that, the hospital will not just be a building, but also a catalyst for healings with the developments that the project would attract to the community.
“This project is a testament to your (Governor Otti’s) people’s centred government.
“I remain immensely grateful. Ukwa East stands firmly with you. Ukwa East believes in you . Thank you Your Excellency,” Prince Kanu stated.
Contributing, the host traditional ruler and land donor, HRM. Eze Apostle Chibuzor Chinyere thanked the Governor for the project he is bringing to the community.
“What we are witnessing today is a prayer answered. Your Excellency, you came into a decay and collapsed State
“Your Excellency, you don’t know what you have done for Ukwa East. You are not just building roads, you are rescuing lives.
“During the forthcoming election, you don’t need to come and campaign here. Abia State has become a construction site. Everyday, we see commissioning and flag-off of projects . We are excited, we are happy,” Apostle Chinyere stated.
The King of Ikwuorie community in Ohanku – Ndoki highlighted the economic importance of the
hospital and requested the Governor to also make transformer and metres to be extended to the Ikwuorie community to improve and sustain their light, locate smart schools in the community and extend the construction of the Ohanku road Aba to Ohanku community in Ukwa East LGA.
The ceremony attracted the presence of the former Deputy Governor, Sir Ude Okochukwu, Ambassador Okey Emuche, Chief Onuoha David Ogba (Bourdex), Mayor of Ukwa East LGA, Hon. Chibunna Akara, Mayor of Ukwa West LGA, Pastor Lucky Dike, traditional rulers, women groups, members of Abia Arise and Labour Party in Ukwa LGA and many other dignitaries including senior appointees of the Government.
Ctz. UKOHA, NJOKU UKOHA
Chief Press Secretary to the Executive Governor of Abia State.
