The suspension of operations of Ibom Specialist Hospital resulted from the inability of its management to live up to the terms of agreement.
Akwa Ibom State Governor, Mr. Udom Emmanuel, made this known in Uyo during the October edition of Government House Prayer Meeting.
The session was held at the Latter House Chapel, Governor’s Lodge, Uyo.
The governor described the management as being lopsided in the management of the hospital.
Besides, he said, the management could not offset the operational cost or declare profit despite the huge investment of the state government in the hospital.
“If as a business man I receive 50 per cent of the support we give to the person managing the specialist hospital, I will declare profit. Ask him, since the day he started managing the hospital whether he has paid one naira to the state government?
“It came to a point where I asked him where is the money you are charging the patients? Can’t it be used in payment of salary in the hospital?
“I took over the payment of the consultants’ salary and I paid the consultants from my imprest. I have the vouchers. Even with that the consultants left because I don’t know how he managed them.
“I took an oath that I would not place my interest above that of the state. If people don’t know certain things let them ask questions not to castigate the governor. I don’t play politics with the development of the people,” he stated.
Governor Emmanuel reiterated his administration’s commitment to ensuring that investment in every sector of the state economy yielded return and enhanced the revenue profile of the state.
He maintained that defaulters in the management of the state asset would face prosecution.
He gave the assurance too that a new management team would be put in place at the Ibom Specialist Hospital after a review of the terms of agreement.
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The governor announced plans to lease out the Ibom Tropicana Hotel to a consortium to fix and manage the facility while the Four Point by Sheraton Hotel at Ikot Ekpene would be completed and managed by the Sheraton Group.
He used the opportunity of the occasion to emphasize that education was free in the state and added that he had released grants to schools and warned parents not to pay money to any school head but should report such charges to the appropriate authority.
He expressed appreciation to the Government House Prayer team for their dedication and steadfastness in prayers, which he said had brought about the successes recorded by the administration.
The governor also thanked the people for the overall support given to the administration saying that their massive turnout at the just concluded 30th anniversary celebration of the creation of the state was an eloquent testimony of their solidarity to his administration.
Professor Edet Udoh who preached at the Prayer Summit said that God was always in position to turn every adversary in favour of those who truly served him.
The cleric admonished those in positions of authority to always make the best out of every situation and seek the face of God for direction.
At the event, prayers were offered for the governor, his cabinet, other arms of government and the country.
