Minister of Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola (SAN), yesterday handed over internal road projects rehabilitated and reconstructed by the Federal Government to the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.
Fashola, represented by the Federal Controller of Works, Bayelsa State, Nnaji Patrick, an engineer; said the Federal Government had intervened in 64 internal road projects in federal tertiary institutions/federal hospitals.
He said as at last March, 46 had been handed over and another 18 ready to be handed over soon.
The minister said the ministry was attending to 19 roads in similar institutions/federal hospitals across the country, making it a total of 83 internal road projects.
Fashola said: “Today, we converge on the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Yenagoa, Bayelsa State to hand over an important asset, 380 metres rehabilitated/reconstructed by the Ministry of Works and Housing on behalf of the Federal Government.
“While it is true that a lot of work needs to be done in many sectors of our national life, including Education, the Muhammadu Buhari government has stepped up to lead the process of getting that work done.
“The gap of our infrastructure needs is steadily being bridged by a gradual process of repairs, renewal and construction on major highways and it has reached the FMC, Yenagoa.
“It is undebatable that quality of health will be impacted by the quality of infrastructure and those who doubt it should simply listen to some of the feedback from workers in FMC where this type of intervention has taken place.
“The workers/patients are expressing renewed enthusiasm with regard to facelift of the FMC Yenagoa, that is because some defective roads have been restored to good condition.”
He said the development was consistent with the government’s progressive ideal of improving the human condition and that the process continued as “we hand over this one in FMC Yenagoa as a critical intervention to support health care.”
He said although it was a civil work project, it was an investment in the health sector.
He noted: “During the construction, about 60 people were employed in the process contributing to the job creation initiatives of the government, and it is hoped that the hospital will now ensure that this asset is used properly and not abused.”
Also speaking, the Chief Medical Director, Prof. Dennis Alagoa, thanked the Federal Government for executing the project, saying it was a huge relief to the federal medical institution.
Alagoa, represented by the Head of Clinical Services, FMC, Dr. Peter Alabrah, said: “Indeed, we are here to witness the handing over of a road project that was conscript design and executed by the Federal Government.
“You need to be here a few months ago; this landscape you are seeing is not the way you are seeing it now. If you have seen it then and now, you will appreciate the joy in the heart of all workers of the FMC.
“In this regard, we want to express our heartfelt gratitude to Mr. President for the execution of this road project. It is not only this one, we have this stretch of the road and the other one at the entrance of the road. We are very grateful for this laudable project.”
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