Edo people protest over abandoned hospital in Benin

Angered by the refusal of the Edo State government to equip  and put to use the new Central Hospital, Benin, two years after it was commissioned by President Muhammadu Buhari, a coalition of civil societies and students unions, on Monday, took to the main streets of the Edo state capital to vent their anger.

During the protest, socio-economic activities were paralysed in parts of Benin as the protesters marched to kick against the non functioning of the multi billion naira hospital complex built by Adams Oshiomole in 2016.

The visibly  angry protesters branded placards with unprintable  inscriptions claiming that affordable health care was a right and that many  Edo people  could not afford medical tourism.

Their spokesperson and president  of Talakawa Parliament, Mr. Kola Edopkayi, appealed to  Governor Godwin Obaseki to exhibit compassion on the people and make the hospital operational   within the shortest time possible.

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Edokpayi said, “we are calling on the Edo State government to immediately take steps to equip and put the hospital to use. It is worrisome that the hospital is not still functioning after it was commissioned in 2016. The government should do something.”

Also speaking, Comrade Emmanuel Aigbogun,  a former Student Union President, University of Benin, (UNIBEN) and  Mr. Osamudiamen Elvis both lamented that the worst hit were school children and market women who were unable to pay exorbitant health bills  in private hospitals.

The Commissioner of Information and Orientation, Comrade Paul Ohonbamu,however, called for caution, adding that the state government was at the threshold of recruiting doctors and equipping the hospital, so that it could be put to effective use.