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Angry youths from Governor Udom Emmanuel’s community, Awa, in Onna Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, on Monday halted the commissioning of hospital equipment at the community’s comprehensive Health Centre.
        It was gathered that the youths blocked the entrance of the Health Centre with a heap of red earth, thereby stopping vehicular movement into the premises. Sources had it that a former lawmaker, who is under alleged investigation by the Independent Corrupt and other related Offences Commission, ICPC had, through his agent, diverted some equipment to the hospital and had scheduled Monday for commissioning. They also had it hat the equipment were constituency projects meant for a different senatorial district. The youths in a desperate attempt to stop the alleged commissioning, as early as 9am dropped two tipper load of excavated red earth to block the entrance. The youth President of Awa, Inyang Samuel, in an interview with newsmen, said “We got information this morning that a certain lawmaker brought some hospital equipment last Wednesday and he is coming in today to Commission them. As far as we are concerned the lawmaker is being hunted by ICPC, why should he divert the equipment meant for his constituency to this place?” He said. The equipment included Heamothological analysers, Strings, medical screens, wheel chairs and bed sheets. Others are drip stands, Air conditioners, mattresses and manual beds among other things.
        The commissioner of health, Dr Dominic Ukpong, who led officials of the ministry while addressing management staff of the hospital, said it was wrong for any individual, politician or philanthropist to donate to a government facility without following lay down procedures. According to him, “we got information that some equipment were brought in here last Wednesday without the knowledge of the medical superintendent. This gave us some concerns so we decided to set up investigation into the matter. We started this project last year and we are almost about to commission the hospital. And all the equipment for the hospital are stocked in the warehouse. We expect that any body who wants to assist us should ask of areas of our needs to avoid duplication. We have three trailer and a bus load of equipment we have yet to ascertain the name of the contractor but fortunately we have the name of the man who was in charge of the equipment. We shall ascertain from him of the contractor and the person behind it. Ukpong who said the state government would not throw away the equipment added that some of the equipment were not what the government planned for the hospital. What we have seen are not what we planned for this hospital for instance the manual beds, the state government has brought in automated beds in line with what is in place in other hospitals accross the state. Operative of the ICPC, Mr Oba Alexius, who was on the trip, said he was directed by the state commissioner of the Commission, Mr Shola Shodipo, to ascertain the type of the equipment, who brought them and where the equipment came from.