Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) says is partnering with the African Medical Centre of Excellence (AMCE) to improve healthcare delivery in the country.
The Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, stated this while reading the communiqué issued after the forum’s meeting on Thursday in Abuja.
Uzodimma said that the forum received a presentation from AMCE on an initiative funded by African Export-Import bank (Afrexim bank), with the delegation led by former Vice-President, Namadi Sambo.
“The forum received a presentation from AMCE, a specialised 500-bed hospital designed to deliver high-quality diagnostics and treatment across oncology, cardiovascular and hematological care, alongside comprehensive general medical and surgical services.
“Recognising the AMCE’s role in advancing Nigeria’s healthcare capacity, the governors reaffirmed their commitment to fostering partnerships that support the development of such specialised facilities, aiming to improve health outcomes and accessibility for all Nigerians.
“The governors are committed to supporting Afrexim bank for this initiative.
“The bank is going to work with King’s College Hospital, London, and it’s going to be a referral centre of excellence for all medical challenges,’’ he stated.
The governor added that NGF also received the presentation from the Group Chief Executive Officer, Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Mallam Mele Kyari, on the fuel subsidy removal and the challenges facing the corporation.
Uzodimma pointed that Kyari briefed the governors on his plans to alleviate the sufferings of Nigerians, occasioned by the increase in fuel pump price.
“We saw with him, and also interpreted some of the presentations he made. It is our hope that things are going to be better any moment from now.
“We sympathised with our people. We know that there is hardship in the country. We also appreciate the reforms being carried out by the president.
“Our prayer is that as soon as possible, the relief we are looking for should come so that we can begin to leverage the benefits of the reforms,’’ he asserted.
Uzodimma also stressed the need for encouraging home-grown solutions to the challenges facing Nigeria’s oil sector, especially in achieving local production of petroleum products in the country.
“We must encourage the home-grown solution that President Bola Tinubu has just introduced.
“We should encourage Dangote Refinery; we should repair our Port Harcourt Refinery, repair our Warri Refinery, repair our Kaduna Refinery, and then produce what we eat, and eat what we produce.
“We shouldn’t rely on importation of crude oil. For me, it is an aberration to rely on importation of petroleum products, as an oil producing country,’’ he clarified.
The governor noted that forum also received a brief from the Director-General of Department of Security Services (DSS) on new strategies to address the security challenge in the country.
He also expressed the forum’s support to the DSS director-general, describing it as proper and a better synergy, working at the sub-national to ensure that Nigeria was safe and secure.
Uzodimma further disclosed that the Office of the National Security Adviser had appointed a director to liaise with state governments to enhance closer relationships, adding that the director has presented her plans to the governors.