AKSG Sets Up Assets Management, Maintenance Agency

Bassey Nkponam
IBESIKPO ASUTAN
To ensure adequate maintenance of new healthcare and other government facilities in the State,theAkwa Ibom government has set up an Assets Management and Maintenance Agency.
  The state governor, Pastor Umo Eno, who announced this, Friday, while inaugurating the Primary Healthcare Centre at Ikot Nkwo in Ibesikpo Asutan also announced Elder Sam Umoatan as pioneer chairman of the new Agency.
  Eno noted with dismay, the vandalisation of government property in some communities, and the poor maintenance culture in the state, which often times results in decay of infrastructure, leading to wastage of such facilities.
  He said the duty of the agency would be to ensure adequate maintenance of government facilities in the State, announcing that the board of the agency would soon be inaugurated.
Eno made known that the vision of his administration was to adopt a bottom-up approach to development where the rural areas are a priority.
  Giving an overview of the Ikot Nkwo healthcare facility, the commissioner for health, Professor Augustine Umoh, said the facility was unique especially for its solar power supply, which will enhance steady power in the health center.
  Umoh said the model health centre has consulting rooms, theatre, wards, quarters for doctors, matrons and nurses, laboratory, ICT and records unit, modern kitchen, dining room, solar powered energy, standby generator as well as 214 medical equipment and consumables.
  The transition committee chairman for Ibesikpo Asutan, Mrs Akon Michael, expressed delight at the facility which, she said, was like a dream for the people of the area.
  In their separate remarks, the village head of Ikot Nkwo, Eteidung Nsidibe Etuk, as well as the paramount ruler of Ibesikpo Asutan, Edidem Clement Ekpenyong, appreciated Governor Eno and prayed God to continue to guide and guard him and grant him more wisdom to fully actualise the ARISE Agenda.
  The state chairman of Primary Health Care Development Agency, AKSPHCDA, Dr Martins Akpan, lauded the governor for his proactive and pragmatic leadership style which has made the facility possible, assuring that his agency will protect and make it functional.