The commendation was made by the Chairman, House Committee on Health, Human Services and HIV/AIDS, Hon. Abimbola Solanke, who represents Moba Constituency I in the Assembly, during a two-day legislative oversight visit to assess the ongoing renovation of General Hospitals across the sixteen Local Government Areas of Ekiti State.
Hon. Solanke explained that the oversight visit was in line with the constitutional responsibilities of the legislature to monitor and evaluate the implementation of appropriated funds by the Executive arm of government.
She lauded Governor Oyebanji for prioritizing the health sector and ensuring the availability of modern medical facilities in the newly renovated hospitals. She also encouraged members of the public to patronize government owned health institutions for quality healthcare delivery.
According to her, “The importance of having functional and well equipped health facilities at the grassroots cannot be overemphasized. The present administration has demonstrated a strong commitment to the welfare and wellbeing of the people by improving healthcare infrastructure statewide.”
The oversight visit, which featured representatives from the Ministry of Health and Human Services, Hospital Management Board covered facilities such as General Hospital Ifaki-Ekiti, General Hospital Iye-Ekiti, General Hospital Ayede, General Hospital Ilupeju-Ekiti, General Hospital Ijesa-Isu, and General Hospital Ijan-Ekiti.
Other health facilities visited included General Hospital Okemesi, General Hospital Efon, and General Hospital Ilawe-Ekiti, thereby covering all three Senatorial Districts in the state.
During the inspection, the Committee observed that while many of the hospitals were adequately equipped, they were underutilized due to inadequate manpower.
Hon. Solanke stressed the need for compliance with project specifications by the contractor to ensure that the structures stand the test of time.
She further charged health workers to complement the efforts of the Governor through dedication to duty, commitment, and a robust maintenance culture that would guarantee the sustainability of the government’s investments.
Other members of the Committee, including the Minority Leader, Hon. Dele Ogunsakin, Rt. Hon. Hakeem Jamiu, Hon. Ayo Adegbite, and Hon. Iyabo Fakunle-Okieimen, also commended the Governor’s efforts in transforming the health sector.
In their contributions, members of the Committee urged health workers to effectively utilize all newly procured equipment across laboratories, maternity wards, theatre rooms, and other departments of the hospitals. They further called on them to key into the shared prosperity agenda of the present administration.
Speaking on behalf of the Hospital Management Board, Dr. Olubunmi Ibitoye commended the proactive disposition of the Seventh Assembly, particularly the House Committee on Health, Human Services and HIV/AIDS, for their unwavering commitment to improving healthcare delivery in the state. He advocated for the recruitment of more healthcare professionals and the replacement of obsolete equipment.
Also speaking during the oversight visit, Engr. Joseph Alade, site engineer of Step Development Building and Civil Engineering Ltd., expressed appreciation to the Governor for his unwavering support.
He assured the Committee that the ongoing renovation works would be completed in strict adherence to specifications by the end of July, 2025.