Governor Seriake Dickson says government is
desirous of having a world-class healthcare system that will key into the
tourism potentials of the state.
The governor stated this in an interactive
session with top management officials of Skippers Infra JLT in Government
House, Yenagoa which culminated in the signing of a memorandum of understanding
(MOU).
According to him, “we want people from
outside the state to come and receive first class health care services in the
state. We know people travel out to
receive healthcare services elsewhere”.
“Our government is serious in the provision
of world class health care that will meet the needs of the people and others
and also to boost the economy”, he stressed.
Governor Dickson explained that the present
administration had already made enough provision in the health sub-sector and
wants partners who will complement government’s gesture and help complete the
healthcare projects on ground.
He commended Skippers for having the two
key components, expected on the partnership, which according to the Governor,
is technical competence and financial capabilities, and expressed government’s
desire to work with the company.
Governor Dickson equally called on them to
explore the possibility of helping to develop the oil palm potentials of the
state noting that the eco-climate of Bayelsa State is second to none.
“We
want to collaborate with your country so that they can import our oil palm
produce”.
Stressing that government was not looking
for contractors but willing partners in the new Bayelsa project, the Governor
expressed the hope that the proposed partnership with Skipper will yield the
desired results, while promising that government, on its part, will create the
enabling environment and also create room for private sector participation in
driving the economy of the state forward.
He urged Skippers Infra JLT for the early
completion of the audit assignment, noting that government expects that in the
next six months to one year, people from outside the state would fly into
Bayelsa State to receive medical attention, and thus make the dream of
government come true.
Earlier in his remarks, the Group President
of Skipper Infra JLT, Mr. Jitender Sachdeva said their visit was to partner
with the State government on areas of oil palm production and healthcare
services.
Sachdeva disclosed that his company has
twenty five year experience in manufacturing and infrastructure development,
and have large investments spreading across the country.
He commended the State government for the
380-bed Melford Okilo General Hospital, noting that the facility, which is
sixty percent completed, is one of the best in Africa architectural wise.
The Skipper Group president pledged that
the company will do its best to meet government’s target in six months with the
commencement of operation of some key sections of the hospital such as the
diagnostic center among others.
Skipper Infra JLT has a 1500-bed hospital
situated in India, among its chain of investments, and the hospital is the
biggest in the whole of Asia.
Daniel
Iworiso-Markson
Senior Special Assistant to the Governor
Senior Special Assistant to the Governor
(Media
& Public Affairs)
26th July 2012
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