Projects: You Have Created A Lot Of Problems For Your Successor, Buhari Tells Umahi.
President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed great astonishment over the multiplicity and quality of developmental projects by Governor David Umahi’s administration in Ebonyi State.
The President made his feelings known on Thursday (today) while commissioning an avalanche of completed projects by Governor Umahi across the three senatorial zones of the State.
The assignment was part of the President’s 2-day working visit to the State, expected to elapse tomorrow (Friday) after a meeting with some leaders of the South east geopolitical zone in Abakaliki, the State capital.
Among the projects commissioned by the President was the King David University of Medical Sciences, with its entrance double span flyover bridge, the Cancer screening and treatment centre, the University’s medical unit/teaching hospital and the university’s administrative block and lecture rooms.
Others included the completed Ebonyi International Airport Lounge, in Ezza land, named after President Muhammadu Buhari, and the ultra-modern new presidential Lodge at the new Government House, Centenary City, Abakaliki, also named after the President.
Buhari who took time to explore the sizes, contents and quality of all the so far commissioned projects could not hide his surprises as he noted that Governor Umahi had set a very high standard which would be difficult for his successor to meet.
While commissioning the new Presidential Lodge, the already astonished Buhari stated: “Your Excellency, I think you have created a lot of problems for your successor.”
Governor Umahi, while introducing the medical complex/Teaching Hospital of the King David University of Medical Sciences to the President, explained that he was motivated to embark on the rare, gigantic project by his desire to create a centre of medical excellence in Nigeria, and cut down on medical tourism.
The Governor ceased the opportunity to reiterate his call for a takeover of the medical complex by the federal government.
Umahi said: “Your Excellency, our dear President, it is in appreciation of what you have done for our country that I decided to build this centre of excellence in medicine.
“This medical unit and the Cancer screening centre is one kind that is not found anywhere in the country.
“I decided to build these in order to cut down on medical tourism.
“Your Excellency, let me ask again for your approval for the federal government to take over this centre because of its magnitude.
“I know I had asked before, and you replied that I should go and celebrate…”
The President on arrival at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport Enugu, was received by some Governors and other leaders of Southeast, from where he proceeded to the University of Medical Sciences Uburu, where he commenced his assignment.
The President would be hosted to a banquet in the evening of today at the Ecumenical Centre, Abakaliki.
On Friday, he would commission some other projects, and meet with south east leaders before departure to Abuja.
This is the 2nd time President Buhari visited Ebonyi in Umahi’s administration. The first was in Umahi’s first tenure when he laid the foundation stone of some landmark projects of the Governor.