By; MOHAMMED KAWU, Bauchi.
Governor Mohammed Abubakar has directed that all doctors sponsored for medical training by the Bauchi state government return home and serve the state as contained in their contractual agreements.
The Governor’s directive came in the wake of inadequacy of medical doctors in its medical institutions and increase in demand for medical services especially in Bauchi metropolis, owing to influx of internally displaced persons from neighboring states.
Abubakar gave the directive Monday after inspecting Bauchi Specialist Hospital and the State College of Nursing and Midwifery, where he also asked the commissioner of Health, Dr. Halima Musa Mukaddas, to furnish him with the emoluments of medical doctors in neighboring states so as to make that of Bauchi State more attractive to medical doctors and the para-medics.
The Governor also expressed displeasure that some critical sections of the Specialist Hospital constructed and commissioned by the immediate past administration were not provided with furniture or equipment as contained in the contractual agreement.
He assured that government will go after anyone who has any obligation to the state government to meet until all that belongs to the state are recovered, as he directed the commissioner of health to submit all immediate needs that will ensure smooth operations of the hospital.
“I cannot wait for the contractor. The matter is before the EFCC, and he will explain to them why he has taken money and refused to supply the items”, the governor queried.
Abubakar similarly asked that contractors who were awarded contracts for the construction of all uncompleted houses within the premises of the defunct Bauchi College of Arts and Sciences to present relevant documents for their outstanding obligations to be paid so as to take over and complete the houses for allocation to doctors and nurses on .
About N300 million has been spent in providing classroom blocks, offices, laboratories, hostels and fencing at the State College of Nursing and Midwifery which is expecting accreditation team next week preparatory to commencement of academic activities around March this year.
