According to Sokoto State Governor Aminu Tambuwal, the infrastructural projects funded by the N2.5 billion AbdulSamad Rabiu (ASR) Initiative would fill the state's shortage of medical professionals.
This was said by Tambuwal on Thursday at the Sultan Abdulrahman College of Health Technology's administration block's groundbreaking ceremony in the Gwadabawa Local Government Area of Sokoto State.
The projects would support government efforts to produce the necessary manpower demands in the state's health sector, according to the governor, who was represented by the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Ali Inname.
Tambuwal said the state has about 800 Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs), 30 general hospitals and comprehensive healthcare centres and specialist hospitals, with approximately 3,000 manpower shortfall in PHCs alone.
He listed projects to be executed under the ASR Initiative including the construction of the College of Medical Science at Sokoto State University and the construction of the Administrative Building and School Clinic at the College of Nursing Sciences located at Tambuwal Local Government Area.
He said the infrastructure intervention projects would enhance the graduation of manpower needs and improve healthcare service delivery across the state.
According to him, the ASR Africa Initiative led by former Minister of Health and Foreign Affairs, Dr Aliyu Idi-Hong, presented an intervention award to the state government on Aug. 25, 2022.
He described the support as “hallmark achievements toward improving peoples’ wellbeing” and urged other corporate bodies and industries to emulate the gesture.
Earlier, Alhaji AbdulSamad Rabiu, the Founder of ASR Initiative Africa, represented by Dr Ubon Udoh, the Managing Director of the initiative, explained that ASR Africa is the brainchild of Rabiu, who is dedicated to the development of Nigeria and the African continent as a whole.
He said, “ASR is committed to helping Africans to look inward and solve their problems, while implementing solutions to such challenges.”
He observed that Sokoto State met some criteria, ensuring the institutions benefited from the projects.
He assured that the best contractors have been engaged to ensure commitment and standard execution according to international quality, as well as timely completion of the projects. He said 40 per cent of mobilisation had already been paid.
The District Head of Gwadabawa, Alhaji Lawal Zayyanu, and the local government Chairman, Alhaji Aminu Aya, lauded the ASR Initiative and urged management to ensure proper utilisation to achieve the desired results.
Newsmen report that Udoh, Inname, along with other delegations inspected the ongoing construction at the Sokoto State University site.
Meanwhile, contractors expressed commitment to completing the projects according to specifications, ensuring standard and timely completion.
Newsmen further report that construction of the College of Medical Science building at State University will gulp N1.8 billion, to be handled by Calder Construction Company. At the same time, the Administrative Building at Sultan Abdulrahman College of Health Technology, Gwadabawa, will cost N1.66 million, to be handled by Paydirt International Limited.
The Administrative Building and School Clinic at the College of Nursing Sciences, Tambuwal, will cost N243 million, contracted to Mann’s Chaft Nigeria Limited.