Daud Olatunji
Barely a month after PLATFORM TIMES published a special report on the 250-bed hospital in Abeokuta, the state governor,Dapo Abiodun has broken his silence on his plans.
The governor who assumed office since May 29, 2019 abandoned the multi-billion naira specialist hospital built by his predecessor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun with equipment running into N5 billion .
PLATFORM TIMES had reported that the specialist hospital has remained unused by Dapo Abiodun’s government for more than four years, despite reports of over N5 billion spent solely on its equipment.
PLATFORM TIMES’s Editor, Daud Olatunji had made a recent inspection of the Oke-Mosan site, where the facility stands, reveals the disheartening state of this multi-billion naira project, which is deteriorating while many people in the state and beyond continue to experience a dire need for healthcare facilities.
Breaking his silence,Abiodun spoke on Monday at the Statutory Meeting of the state Council of Obas, held at the Oba’s Complex, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta.
The governor while briefing traditional rulers in the state on his plans on the abandoned 250-bed specialist hospital and the Agro Cargo among others, said the state lacks the financial capability to run the multi billion naira specialist hospital.
The statement shared by the governor’ media Aide, SF Ojo, read “despite the challenging situation, the governor shared positive developments on the economic front.
“He informed the traditional rulers about efforts to attract investors, highlighting the imminent signing of a Memorandum of Understanding for the establishment of the Ogun State Dry Port at Kajola.
“Additionally, discussions on the use of the Cargo Airport by investors from Benin Republic had taken place, with the prospect of the country becoming the first customer to export goods from the airport.
“Governor Abiodun also outlined plans for the health sector, revealing the decision to concession the 250-bed hospital in Abeokuta.
“He explained that the state lacked the capacity to run the hospital efficiently and intended to sign a Memorandum of Understanding with the Afrexim Bank and a medical group to take over the hospital, complete it, and operate it professionally.”
Meanwhile, Abiodun accused certain traditional rulers of engaging in the unauthorized sale of lands belonging to the state government.
Abiodun expressed his disappointment, calling the actions of those involved unpatriotic.
Abiodun revealed that reports had surfaced in Abeokuta about some monarchs who had taken it upon themselves to allocate government land, including forest reserves and plantations, to individuals.
He emphasized the severity of the situation, stating that not only were government lands being sold, but in some cases, they were being allocated to non-Ogun State indigenes.
Expressing his disbelief, the governor stated, “Our Kabiyesis are colluding with people from outside Ogun State and giving our land to them in our plantations.
They are coming there, deforesting them, destroying the plantation, and planting Indian Hemp. I was completely heartbroken when I heard this news, and when we actually verified, it was true.”
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