Dr. Alex Otti Commissions Sustainable Development Multi-purpose Hospital in Ugwunagbo
It was jubilation galore as the people of Ugwunagbo local government area of Abia State, top government officials, notable politicians, captains of industry, traditional rulers, youths and others gathered at Obeaja in Ugwunagbo to witness the groundbreaking commissioning of the ultra-modern Sustainable Development Multi-purpose Hospital built by the Federal Government on Wednesday, July 3, 2024.
In his speech while Commissioning the landmark project, the Governor of Abia State, Dr. Alex Chioma Otti (OFR) appreciated President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his unwavering commitment to the healthcare sector, which culminated in the completion of the 100-bedded Muhammadu Buhari Mother and Child Hospital in Ugwunagbo now known as the Sustainable Development Multi-purpose Hospital in order to accommodate other members of the society.
Dr. Alex Otti said that healthcare occupies a strategic position in his administration adding that the 2024 Budget of Abia
State has met the target of the 2001 Abuja Declaration in which African countries pledged to allocate at least 15% of their annual budget to healthcare.
Dr. Alex Otti pointed out that the goal of his administration in the healthcare sector is in line with the Federal Government Sustainable Growth Rate, which aims at reducing maternal mortality to 70 per 1, 000 live-births by 2030.
He said that his administration has made significant progress in the drastic reduction of maternal mortality rate in Abia State adding that it would continue to decrease until it becomes a thing of the past.
He promised that the state government would assume the management of the newly-commissioned hospital as well as provide 24 hours security, additional land for the building of doctors’ quarters and establishment of a facility management team to maintain high standards.
He said that it is the intention of his administration to hand over to posterity a medical village in Abia State where everything you need to think about would be available before it winds up.
In an address, the wife of the governor, Mrs. Priscilla Otti represented by the wife of the Deputy Governor, Mrs. Adaeze Emetu expressed happiness with the realization of the project describing it as part of the unwavering commitment of the government in providing quality and accessible healthcare for all.
Speaking, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and former Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Princess Adejoke Adefulire said that the project, which was conceived in her first tenure under former President Muhammadu Buhari has come to fulfil the dream of every mother for a safe delivery in a healthy and conducive environment.
She disclosed that similar projects have been executed across the 36 States of the federation under the Sustainable Development Goals to promote the standard of living, adding that the project is in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration with commitment to prioritizing key interventions with multiplier effects on multi- dimension poverty.
Contributing, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Dr. Ifeyinwa Uma-Kalu said the hospital was established to serve the community without limitations and appreciated Governor Alex Otti for changing the narratives in the healthcare services of the state.
She described the project as another milestone towards achieving a sustainable and efficient healthcare services in the healthcare ecosystem of the state.
On her part, the Chief Executive Officer, Hospital Management Board (HMB), Dr. Odochi Azubuike said that Governor Alex Otti’s commitment to healthcare of the people led to the completion of the long abandoned project in partnership with the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
She said that the idea of establishing the facility is to achieve one of the Sustainable Development Goals in ensuring adequate healthcare for mother and child, adding that the facility is fully equipped to provide antenatal care, management of child diseases and general medical services.
The Deputy Mayor of Ugwunagbo local government area, Hon. Nnamdi Kelvin Chijioke expressed happiness with the commissioning of the Sustainable Development Multi-purpose Hospital, which he described as the first of its kind in Ugwunagbo.
He assured that stakeholders in Ugwunagbo would ensure that the hospital serves optimally.
He lauded the monumental achievements of Dr. Alex Otti in the state, especially in the area of healthcare delivery and said that the people of Ugwunagbo are happy with the present administration in Abia State.
The event attracted many dignitaries from far and near including top government officials, the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Pastor Caleb Ajagba, the Mayor of Ugwunagbo LGA, Comrade Nosike Ihesiaba, the Mayor of Aba South, Hon. Chief Uche Wogu, Mayors of other local government areas of the state, the chairman, Ugwunagbo Council of Traditional Rulers, HRH Eze Chris E. N. Ajuzie, HRM Eze, Engr. Chile Ananaba, Chief Barr. Larry Iroka, Comrade Ugochukwu Stephen Ukaegbu, the acting chairman of Labour Party, Ugwunagbo LGA, Hon. Nwagbara Chiemela Iheanacho among others.
(From L-R),Comrade Ugochukwu Stephen Ukaegbu, Chief Barr. Larry Iroka, HRM Eze Engr. Chile Ananaba, others
At the end, the following personalities bared their minds on the occasion as well as Dr. Alex Chioma Otti’s one year in office in a chat with newsmen. Excerpts.
Comrade Ugochukwu Stephen Ukaegbu
(Acting Labour Party chairman, Ugwunagbo LGA)
We are very happy for the commissioning of the Sustainable Development Multi-purpose Hospital initiated by former President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration. We are grateful to President Bola Tinubu’s administration for completing it and renaming it Sustainable Development Multi-purpose Hospital in order to take care of others as well as the Governor of Abia State, Dr. Alex Chioma Otti (OFR) for his tireless efforts to ensure the actualization of the project. The hospital is the first of its kind in Ugwunagbo.
Coming to Dr. Alex Otti’s performance in his one year in office, I can boldly say that he has surpassed our expectations. It is not a matter of politics or sentiment. The truth is that Dr. Alex Otti has achieved in his one year in office what the PDP administration could not achieve in 24 years. He has constructed and rehabilitated so many roads in different parts of the state, especially Aba and Umuahia. Look at the long-abandoned Port Harcourt Road, Aba. If you go there now, you would not recognize it. The first phase is completed while the second phase is on-going. Dr. Alex Otti is a man of his words. He promised to wipe tears away from our eyes during his campaign and today he has done it. I wish him long life, good health, more wisdom and God’s protection as he continues to pilot the affairs of Abia State to greater height.
HRH Eze Chris E. N. Ajuzie (Nso 11, Mba Asaa Ama Asaa autonomous community/Chairman, Ugwunagbo Council of Traditional Rulers)
We are happy and grateful to the performing Governor of Abia State, Dr. Alex Chioma Otti (OFR). He has done us proud within a very short time in office. This is the first time we are witnessing true dividends of democracy in the state. Today, he has commissioned the Sustainable Development Multi-purpose Hospital, here in our local government area, Ugwunagbo. The hospital was initiated by former Muhammadu Buhari and completed by the present administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. It was abandoned for quite some time before the people-loving Governor of Abia State, Dr. Alex Otti came on board and made sure that it is completed and functional by synergizing with President Bola Tinubu and the Minister of Health.
The Multi-purpose Hospital is very big and boasts of standard medical equipment to take care of various ailments. And if it is replicated in all the seventeen local government areas of the state so many people would not be travelling overseas again for medical check-up.
We, the traditional rulers and their wives, the Mayor of Ugwunagbo and his deputy and all the indigenes of Ugwunagbo are very happy because of the good thing the government has done for us.
Governor Alex Chioma Otti is God-send. He came at the right time. We have seen a very big difference between his administration and past administrations in the state. Just one year in office, we have witnessed tremendous developments in different parts of the state, especially Aba and Umuahia. Look at the roads, especially Port Harcourt Road, Aba that was abandoned by past administrations in the state right from Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu (MON), Chief T. A. Orji down to Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu. But within his one year in office, Dr. Alex Chioma Otti has done Port Harcourt Road, Aba. The contract was awarded to Julius Berger – a leading construction giant in the nation. They have completed the first phase and the second phase has started with all amount of seriousness. It shows that Dr. Alex Otti means well for Abia State. He has also proved beyond all doubts that the meagre resources generated by the state can be used judiciously to work for the state.
Looking at what happened in Aba not long ago – that is the killing of five soldiers at Obikabia junction as well as the killing of two policemen at Opobo junction, one can say that it is the handwork of those who do not mean well for the state and jealous of Dr. Alex Otti’s staggering achievements within a short time in office and now want to create the impression that Abia State is not safe. Abia State is safe. So, my prayer for him is that God would bless him with long life, good health, wisdom and protection so as to actualize his dream for Abia State so that the people would rejoice.
HRM Eze Engr. Chile Ananaba (Traditional Ruler of Ugwunagbo autonomous community, Ugwunagbo LGA)
We are here for the commissioning of the Federal Government built Sustainable Development Multi-purpose Hospital in Ugwunagbo local government area by the Governor of Abia State, Dr. Alex Chioma Otti (OFR). It is a great thing because health is wealth. Talking about Dr. Alex Chioma Otti’s administration, I can boldly say that we have not had it so good like this since the creation of Abia State. Dr. Alex Otti is God-send. He has transformed the state within a very short time in office and given Abians a sense of belonging to the extent that we are proud to say today that we are Abians. He has proved to us that so many good things can be achieved in Abia State with good governance in place. My prayer is that God would continue to bless him and grant him his heart’s desire so that he would lead us to the Promised Land.
Hon.Nwagbara Chiemela Iheanacho
(Labour Party candidate for Ugwunagbo State Constituency in the 2023 election/Member, Abia State House of Assembly Commission)
We gathered here because of the commissioning of the Sustainable Development Multi-purpose Hospital in Ugwunagbo local government area by Dr. Alex Chioma Otti (OFR). It is a very big hospital and the first of its kind in Ugwunagbo. It shows that dividends of democracy has gotten to the grassroots under Dr. Alex Otti’s administration. He has done so many things within his one year in office. He has constructed and rehabilitated so many roads in different parts of the state, especially Aba and Umuahia. His signature projects are equally felt in all other sectors of the state. Dr. Alex Chioma Otti (OFR) has surpassed our expectations within his one year in office. He wants to leave a very big legacy like former Governor of Old Imo State, the late Chief Sam Onunaka Mbakwe. This would definitely make us to re-elect him in 2027.
