The Honourable Minister of State for Health, Dr. Olorunnimbe Mamora has directed the Board and Management of Federal Medical Centre Lokoja to amicably resolve all issues with its host community.
In his scheduled inspection visit to the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Lokoja on the 17th of November, 2020, Dr. Mamora enjoined the management of FMC, Lokoja to settle amicably the long-standing issues the hospital has with its host community which resulted in series of agitations, violence and invasion by unidentified gunmen thereby halting routine services at FMC Lokoja on June, 2020.
The Minister of State for Health praised the State Government for their assistance and encouraged a good relationship between FMC Lokoja and the Governor of the State as they stand to benefit a more. “We want to be sure that FMC Lokoja is in right standing with the Governor of the State because you stand to benefit a lot. I must use this opportunity to acknowledge what the State Government has done in terms of assistance to this place and stand to benefit even more as a function of a good relationship with the State Government. I know so many FMCs that have benefited from their State Governors”, the Minister stated.
Dr. Mamora whose wish to visit FMC Lokoja earlier than when he did was disrupted due to the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic which affected activities of persons and institutions. “When we thought we were getting away from that, another tragedy struck, the #ENDSARS protest. All along, it’s been on my mind to visit here, you will recall that since the outbreak of the pandemic, we have transited into what is called the new normal, in which case, the bulk of our activities have been online.” When the situation got so bad as to necessitate the downing of tools and suspension of full services here, expectedly we got worried not just at the Federal Ministry of Health but at the Presidential Task Force (PTF) level because we felt we were in a period where all hands must be on deck, a pandemic where all health institutions must be up and doing, that was not the best time to have a shut down; but not due to your own fault, but rather as dictated by the circumstances that you were confronted within that situation.
“This is a solidarity visit to all of you and to say that we share your pains, we share your anxiety, but most importantly, we feel for people out there, patients and clients that ought to have benefitted from the purpose of your being here as FMC Lokoja.
Dr. Mamora informed his audience that he has had series of engagements both physically and on phone with the State Governor and the Commissioner for Health, to find an amicable way of resolving whatever issues are on the ground at the Centre. He charged Dr. Audu the Commissioner for Health in Kogi State to make a commitment to the audience since he’s representing the highest authority of Kogi State Government to the effect that issues affecting the Centre will be resolved. The Honourable Minister of State encouraged all to “leave the past in the past and to have a new beginning and that whatever is happening now shall pass, FMC Lokoja shall be great again.”
The Commissioner for Health, Dr. Saka Haruna said FMC Lokoja is the highest caregiver in Kogi State, and its closure then affected the State Government and the community at large, but despite the closure, the Government has gone to all villages to screen the people for COVID-19. “We must play our roles to stop needless conflicts.” He stated further that the visit by the Honorable Minister is an opportunity to ask for more services. He informed that the Governor has been at the forefront of the conflict resolution but quite unfortunate that the conflict is being mingled with COVID-19. He thanked the Minister of State for Health, for the fatherly role he has played and that the State Government will ensure that the conflict is resolved.
Those present at the visit event include the Medical Director, FMC Lokoja, Dr. Olatunde Alabi, the Senior Technical Assistant to the Minister of State, Dr. David Atunwo and other senior staff of the Federal Medical Centre
