Buhari who started a two-day working visit to Edo State on Monday also visited the Oba of Benin, His Royal Majesty, Omo N’ Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba Ewuare II. President Buhari, who noted that the hospital is the best legacy of Gov Oshiomhole to the people of the state, said he was impressed with the project because according to him, “It takes a lot of courage for the governor to do what he did.”
Speaking further, he said, “I am impressed with the work. This is the best thing Oshiomhole can do for the people. When I was coming, I asked the governor, ‘whose edifice is this?”
President Buhari also commissioned a six-lane Upper Siluko Road in Benin City.
In his response, Gov Oshiomhole noted that the first Central Hospital was built in 1902 with 10 beds, adding that his administration deemed it wise to build a new one at the detriment of a new Government House to provide quality health care to both the rich and poor in the state.
He stated that equipment in the hospital were ordered from a German-based company with the latest technology and would be manned by experienced and qualified personnel from the private sector.
Oshiomhole explained that the hospital will not be run by government but a private body for sustainability.
According to him, “I almost wept when I first visited this hospital. What I found here was shocking and I concluded that even if a healthy man visited the hospital, the healthy would be admitted the next day.
“This hospital is fitted with the latest technology in healthcare delivery. Subject to what the next governor will do, my position is that this hospital will not be run in the way that the public service is run”, he said.
Oba Ewuare II has commended President Buhari for his anti-corruption war, adding that good management of the country’s scarce resources will improve the welfare of the people.
Oba Ewuare noted that the President was the first person he would receive at the new palatial palace since he was crowned the 40th Oba of Benin.
He urged Buhari to improve on the welfare of Nigerians in his effort to reposition the country and requested for more federal presence in the state.
