Chima Azubuike
The North-East Development Commission has commenced the rehabilitation of the Central Medical Store in Gombe State.
Arewa PUNCH reports that the store was severely damaged by a fire incident last February.
The new project, our correspondent gathered, will deliver a state-of-the-art medical facility, including a specialised cold storage room for vaccines and a dry storage unit for other crucial medical supplies.
Speaking during the handover ceremony of the site to the contractor, the Acting Coordinator of NEDC Gombe, Rufai Babamanu, confirmed that the project is scheduled for completion within the next 12 months.
He added, “We are confident that by this time next year, we will be back here to celebrate the successful completion and handover of this vital project.”
Babamanu expressed gratitude to the state government for their ongoing collaboration and urged the Ministry of Health and the local community to provide a supportive environment for the contractor to ensure the smooth execution of the work.
On his part, the Commissioner for Health, Dr Habu Dahiru, who led the state’s delegation for the handover ceremony recalled how the tragic fire that engulfed the Central Medical Store in February, led to the loss of billions of naira worth of vaccines and medical supplies.
Dahiru said, “Today marks a significant step forward as the NEDC steps in to rectify this unfortunate incident by constructing a pharma-grade pharmaceutical warehouse.”
He also extended his appreciation to the NEDC for its continued intervention in the health sector, including support for maternal and child health, the provision of vaccines and anti-snake venom, and various capacity-building initiatives for healthcare staff.
The commissioner assured the stakeholders that the state government would offer its full support to ensure the successful completion of the project and emphasised that he would personally oversee the project to maintain smooth operations, adding that the government is committed to providing the Commission with unrestricted access to the site, and fostering a collaborative spirit between all parties involved.
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