February 20, (THEWILL) — The Akwa Ibom State Government has reaffirmed that the Ibom International Hospital will be completed within its 18-month timeline. This follows an inspection of ongoing work at the project site by the Joint Ministerial Supervisory Committee on Tuesday.
The Chairman of the Committee and Commissioner for Health, Dr. Ekem Emmanuel, stated during the inspection that the completion date remains unchanged. He emphasized that the contractor is fully aware that the 18-month period is binding.
“The timeline agreed upon has not shifted. The contractor understands that the 18-month period is sacrosanct,” Emmanuel said after touring the facility.
The 350-bed, nine-floor hospital is being developed as part of the state government’s plan to expand healthcare infrastructure. Pre-foundation works are currently underway.
The inspection team, which included the Commissioner for Special Duties and Alternate Chairman of the Committee, Mr. Emem Almond Bob, reviewed progress across Wings A, B, and C of the project. The team assessed pile reinforcement fabrication, the batching plant, and ongoing pile drilling.
A technical session was also held with the contractor, Tokiye International Medical Services (TIMS), and the project consultants, ORNEL Design Consultant. During this session, work progress was appraised and targets were aligned with the approved schedule.
Emmanuel noted that the committee was satisfied with the level of work completed so far and would submit its report to the state government. Meanwhile, Mr. Bob called for sustained coordination between the contractor and consultants to ensure adherence to specifications and quality standards as construction progresses.
Representatives of the consulting and contracting firms assured the committee that the project would be delivered within the agreed timeframe. Other government officials present at the inspection included the Delivery Adviser to the Governor on the project, Prof. Augustine Umoh; Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Special Duties, Engr. Udosen Udoh; Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health, Dr. Patrick Essiet; and Senior Special Assistant on Technical Matters to the Governor, Engr. Charles Okorie.
