Excited natives of Ukanafun Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, have showered praises on the governor, Umo Eno, for reviewing and reawarding the Ukanafun General Hospital.
According to report, the project which was awarded by a former governor, Godswill Akpabio to a local company in August 2008, was abandoned following complaints and unresolved conflicts surrounding the contract and payment process.
It is believed that the company took legal action against the Akwa Ibom State government which allegedly resulted in a halt in the project.
According to one of the natives, Mr Ufok Ibekwe, in his Facebook post on Friday, he revealed that the incumbent governor, Eno, kept to his promise of resolving all disputes and ensuring the completion of the hospital.
In a release he titled “Hope Rises For Abandoned Ukanafun General Hospital, Nearly 85 % Completed” Ibekwe remarked that “in line with his commitment to fulfilling his campaign promises, Governor Umo Eno has made significant progress in completing the long-abandoned Ukanafun General Hospital project.
“After reviewing and reawarding the contract, the project is now nearing completion.”
He recalled that “the initial contract for this project was awarded to a local company by the former Governor, Godswill Akpabio, in August 2008, at a cost of N1,120,036,491.42 (one billion, one hundred and twenty million naira). By July 2013, the government had already paid a total of N877,014 (eight hundred and seventy-seven million naira) to the awardee.
“However, due to various complaints and unresolved conflicts surrounding the contract and payment process, the company took legal action against the Akwa Ibom State government, resulting in a halt in the project.”
According to him, “during Governor Umo Eno’s visit to offer condolences to the family of the late Bishop Moswill last year, he took the opportunity to personally inspect the abandoned hospital project site.
“During this visit, the governor empathetically promised to resolve all disputes and ensure the completion of the hospital, so that the community can benefit from its services.
“It is truly encouraging to witness Governor Eno fulfilling his promise to the people of Ukanafun, who have endured the absence of a functional public health facility for decades.
“For several years, Townhall Platform and a few public-spirited individuals have been at the forefront of advocating for the completion of the Ukanafun General Hospital project.”
Ibekwe further extended the deepest appreciation of the Ukanafun people to the governor for, “his decisive action and compassionate leadership in stepping in to address the long-standing suffering of the Ukanafun people.”
