Governor Otti Orders Demolition of Old Hospital, Promises Modern Specialist Facility
The governor made the announcement during the flag-off ceremony of the project, which was part of activities marking the third anniversary of his administration. He also inaugurated a four-man supervisory committee to monitor the execution of the project.
Otti explained that the decision to pull down the facility, originally established in 1962 and long left in a state of neglect, was driven by the need to ensure efficiency and compliance with modern healthcare standards.
According to him, attempts to renovate the old structure would not deliver the required quality, making a full rebuild the more viable option.
“We found that it was cheaper to demolish and build a new one than to try and fix something that would not meet the required standard,” the governor said.
He assured residents that the project would be delivered within a record timeframe and commissioned as scheduled.
“Anywhere we flag off a project, it means it will be completed and commissioned in record time,” Otti added, expressing confidence that the facility would be ready before the fourth anniversary of his administration and related second-term inauguration activities.
The governor reiterated his administration’s commitment to improving healthcare infrastructure across Abia State, noting that the new facility would meet international standards and strengthen service delivery in the health sector.
Earlier, the Commissioner for Health, Enoch Uche, said the project aligns with the government’s plan to establish tertiary healthcare facilities across the three senatorial districts of the state. He added that the hospital had been abandoned for decades despite its importance to the host community.
A four-man supervisory team was also constituted to oversee the project. Members include the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ferdinand Ekeoma; Hon. Nnamdi Ibekwe; Dr. Chima Anyaso; and the Deputy Mayor of Bende LGA, Ifeoma Agu.
