A BOOST TO THE HEALTH SECTOR AS NDUESE ESSIEN COMMISSIONS HEALTH FACILITY IN IKOT USOKONG EKET.

The Evangelist News edition, March 24, 2023. By Peter Saturday, Uyo.

The people of Ikot Usokong and its environs leaped for joy during the commissioning of a comprehensive health facility by Rt Hon (Chief) Nduese Essien, former Minister of Lands and Housing.

The facility, donated by the National Primary Healthcare Agency was attracted to the area by a son of the soil, Dr Bassey Okposin who is a staff of the Agency.

The health facility contains open space Ward, Pharmacy, Diagnostic Rooms, Nurses’ Court, Rest/Consultation Rooms, Private Patients Rooms, Doctors’ offices and male and female conveniences among others. All the rooms and offices are fully equipped with bed spaces, medical equipment and furniture.

While commissioning the project, the former Minister and two term member of the House of Representatives commended Dr Okposin for his patriotism in facilitating the health facility to Ikot Usokong Eket.

“This is a bold statement that one does not necessarily have to be an elected politician or a political appointee of government before one can attract infrastructure and development to his area”, Chief Essien said.

Chief Nduese Essien commended the Management of the National Primary Healthcare Agency for citing the Primary Healthcare Centre in Ikot Uso Ekong Community adding that facility will boost the healthcare needs of the people.

He equally appreciated the elder brother of Dr Okposin, Engr Richard Okposin for monitoring and inspecting the project to a successful completion and commissioning.

While announcing a donation of a Television Set to the health facility which he believed can act as a balm to the psychological needs of patients coming for medical attention, Chief Essien called on the host community to jealousy protect the facilities in the center from vandals and vandalism.

Speaking at the event on behalf of the village and host community, the Village Head of Ikot Uso Ekong, His Highness, Chief Ime Ibibom Okposin said the Community has never had it so good in the area of Healthcare Service not until the kind gesture by the National Primary Healthcare Agency. He charged his subjects and members of the community to take ownership of the project by guarding it jealously.

The Royal father appreciated and prayed for the two illustrious sons of the Community, Dr Bassey Okposin and Engr Richard Okposin for attracting and facilitating the project to the community describing them as good ambassadors of the area.

Chief Ibibom apologized to Chief Nduese Essien for the juvenile behavior and insolence meted out to him some years ago by some youths of Ikot Usokong when the former Minister wanted to site a 500 unit Housing Estate in the area. While regretting the incident, he appealed on the Elder Statesman to forgive them and continue in his good deeds for Ekid Nation and the entire State.

Also speaking, a Special Guest at the occasion and President, Akwa Ibom Community Abuja, Barr Aniefiok Ibah on behalf of the Akwa Ibom Community Abuja congratulated the Ikot Uso Ekong Community for the siting of the Health Facility in their area which he stressed will attend to the medical services of indigenes and environs. He charged others to emulate the worthy examples exhibited by Dr Bassey Okposin and Engr Richard Okposin who facilitated the project. He expressed the commitment of the Akwa Ibom Community Abuja to continue to partner the aspirations of Ekid people at home and in diaspora.

Others who presented goodwill messages at the occasion included the President-General, Ekid Community Union Abuja, Mrs Joy Fan, Chairman, Mboho Mkparawa Ibibio Abuja Chapter, Akparawa Emem Kanico represented by the Vice Chairman, Board of Trustees, Chairman, Eket Federal Constituency Association, Abuja, Barr Gabriel Fan, Chairman, Udoetuk Okposin’s Family, the Matron of the Health Centre, Ekaete Usanga among others.

They all expressed appreciation to the National Primary Healthcare Agency for considering the community for the Project.

Highlight of the event featured the official cutting of the commissioning Tape by the Chairman of the occasion, Chief Nduese Essien assisted by other guests, tour of facilities in the center as well as prayers for the dedication of the Health Centre.