Former Governor of Edo state, Adams Oshiomole has accused his successor in office, Godwin Obaseki of contracting out Edo Specialists Hospital in Benin to those that have no knowledge of hospital management.
Oshiomole, now Senator representing Edo North Senatorial District, disclosed plans by the Edo State All Progressives Congress (APC)-led government to privatize the hospital and make the heath facility accessible to residents in the State if candidate of the party, Monday Okpebholo wins the September 21st governorship poll.
The multi-billion 120- bed capacity, which was built with tax payers money during second tenure of Oshiomhole as Governor and inaugurated by Muhammadu Buhari, was privatized by his successor, Governor Godwin Obaseki-led government.
It also demolished Central hospital Complex beside the health facility and allocated the land for the proposed Museum for West Africa Arts (MOWAA) project.
Oshiomhole, who stated this at Edo APC governorship campaign on Saturday in Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area of the State, assured that next government will carry out a comprehensive audit about the transactions on the privatization regarding the hospital administration and management.
This is to ensure that culprits behind the alleged fraudulent deal that makes healthcare accessible only to the rich are prosecuted.
He accused Governor Godwin Obaseki of deploying consultants without knowledge of hospital management to run the Specialist hospital solely for purpose of revenue generation.
He revealed that the APC government would also engage experienced architects and convert the ongoing MOWAA as extension of the Specialist hospital, in order to fit into the initial plan for a benefiting healthcare system that renders medical services to all Edo people at cheap prices.
The former governor stated that the APC-led government would ensure that royalties from Europe that were forcefully confiscated from the Benin Royal Court in the transactions relating to MOWAA by the current administration would be reviewed by ensuring that the Benin Royal Museum is built at the approved location.
Oshiomhole said: “wWe built a 5-star hospital with equipment and President Muhammadu Buhari came to Commission it before the end of my tenure.
“Obaseki, rather than throw it open to Edo people, he went and hired Consultants who are not hospital Management experts.
“He (Obaseki) had a deal with them. They (consultants) are not from Edo State. If you have money, you go, they will charge to render service to you.
“If you do not have money, you either go to a private hospital to die, or you will go to Stella Obasanjo hospital in Benin for treatment.
“That hospital (Edo Specialist) at the time of constructing it was meant for everyone. It was never in my contemplation that it should be reserved for the rich. Monday Okpebholo will return it.
“So, we are warning the Consultants. We have all the items we procured. The company that procured the equipment is still in existence.
“We will do Audit. And if any of those people steal one bit out of the place, they will end up in prison.
“The hospital will be returned to the people of Edo State. Rich and poor will not be charged differently from what Stella Obasanjo hospital charge for treatment.”
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