Abia State Governor, His Excellency, Dr. Alex Otti, OFR, has performed the ground breaking ceremony for the reconstruction of the 100 -bedded historic Okpuala-ngwa General Hospital in Isialangwa North LGA.

Governor Otti equally commissioned the newly rebuilt, retrofitted and functionalized Government Cottage Hospital, Umuihie, Okporoahaba, Isialangwa South LGA

Speaking at the ceremonies as part of the activities marking the third anniversary of his government, Governor Otti reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to rebuilding the healthcare system across Abia State.

Governor Otti described the Okpuala Ngwa General Hospital as a facility of great historical importance to the people of the area and Abians generally, noting that it once served as one of the major healthcare institutions in the old Eastern region, where prominent medical professionals, including the late Dr. Chima Nwafor served.

Governor Otti described as a shame, the failure of the present day generation to fix and maintain hospitals established by our forefathers and noted that, “What we have come here to do today is to restore this hospital to its former glory,” Gov. Otti stated.

The State Chief Executive, who disclosed that work has already commenced at the Okpuala Ngwa General Hospital, assured that the hospital would be equipped as a modern, state-of-the-art medical facility and would be delivered in record time.

Governor Otti informed the mammoth crowd who were cheering him that the portions of the hospital land previously acquired illegally had been fully recovered by the government, warning against encroachment on public property.

While commissioning the Government Cottage Hospital Umuihie, Governor Otti challenged the benefiting community and stakeholders to ensure that they protect the facility.

“When our attention was drawn to it (the cottage hospital), we decided to weigh in, renovate and rehabilitate it and put it to use.

“We want to say that this is a big challenge to the community and I like what distinguished Senator Darlington Nwokocha just said.

“This is your facility in your community. And I want to challenge all of you that you have to protect this facility,” Gov. Otti stated.

In their goodwill messages, Senator Darlington Nwokocha, the member representing Isialangwa North and South Federal Constituency, Chief Ginger Onwusibe and the member representing Isialangwa South State Constituency, Mr Roland Ceaser while thanking Governor Otti for prioritising healthcare services in the State, equally appreciated him for granting them the Labour Party tickets to run for 2027 elections.

They noted that Governor Otti has changed the narratives in all sectors of the State economy, urging the people to own the facility and protect it from vandals.

Earlier, the Commissioner for Health, Professor Enoch Ogbonnaya Uche, explained that the Isiala Ngwa General Hospital is among the hospitals approved by the Governor for reconstruction and upgrade to guarantee accessible and quality healthcare delivery across the State.

According to the Commissioner, the hospital will feature modern consulting clinics, surgical units, diagnostic laboratories, radiology services, a state-of-the-art accident and emergency unit, children’s ward, blood bank services, and ambulance support services.

Prof. Uche, who commended Governor Otti for prioritising healthcare infrastructure and improving the welfare of the people through strategic investments in the health sector, also said that the newly renovated, retrofitted and functionalized cottage hospital would serve as a critical referral hub for primary healthcare centres in Isialangwa South and surrounding communities.

He added that it has the best of the equipment needed for the hospital of that level and has solar power to sustain the facility in case of public power outage .

In their speeches, the Anglican Archbishop of Aba Ecclesiastical Province, Rt. Rev. Isaac Nwobia and the traditional Ruler of Okporoahaba autonomous Community, Eze Peter Emeonye described the health intervention of the Governor as second to none, calling for the construction of the Okporoahaba road to improve the living conditions of their people.

Governor Otti had earlier commis

sioned Umuikama – Okpuala Nvosi road and Umunkpeyi – Okpokiri-Umuehim roads all in Isiala Ngwa South LGA.

The ceremony attracted the presence of the members of the National and State Assembly including Hon. Obi Aguocha, Hon. Amobi Ogah, Secretary to State Government, Dr. Emmanuel Meribole, the Chief of Staff to Governor, Pastor Caleb Ajagba, Ph.D, Commissioners, traditional rulers, members of  the clergy and other top government officials.