Gov. Dickson desires World Class Healthcare system to boost tourism

26th July 2012Govt.
Desires World Class Healthcare system to boost tourism -
Governor Seriake Dickson says government is desirous of having a world-class healthcare system that will key into the tourism potentials of the state.The governor stated this in an interactive session with top management officials of Skippers Infra JLT in Government House, Yenagoa which culminated in the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU).
According to him, “we want people from outside the state to come and receive first class health care services in the state.  We know people travel out to receive healthcare services elsewhere”.“Our government is serious in the provision of world class health care that will meet the needs of the people and others and also to boost the economy”, he stressed.Governor Dickson explained that the present administration had already made enough provision in the health sub-sector and wants partners who will complement government’s gesture and help complete the healthcare projects on ground.
He commended Skippers for having the two key components, expected on the partnership, which according to the Governor, is technical competence and financial capabilities, and expressed government’s desire to work with the company.Governor Dickson equally called on them to explore the possibility of helping to develop the oil palm potentials of the state noting that the eco-climate of Bayelsa State is second to none. “We want to collaborate with your country so that they can import our oil palm produce”. 
Stressing that government was not looking for contractors but willing partners in the new Bayelsa project, the Governor expressed the hope that the proposed partnership with Skipper will yield the desired results, while promising that government, on its part, will create the enabling environment and also create room for private sector participation in driving the economy of the state forward.He urged Skippers Infra JLT for the early completion of the audit assignment, noting that government expects that in the next six months to one year, people from outside the state would fly into Bayelsa State to receive medical attention, and thus make the dream of government come true.Earlier in his remarks, the Group President of Skipper Infra JLT, Mr. Jitender Sachdeva said their visit was to partner with the State government on areas of oil palm production and healthcare services.Sachdeva disclosed that his company has twenty five year experience in manufacturing and infrastructure development, and have large investments spreading across the country.
He commended the State government for the 380-bed Melford Okilo General Hospital, noting that the facility, which is sixty percent completed, is one of the best in Africa architectural wise.The Skipper Group president pledged that the company will do its best to meet government’s target in six months with the commencement of operation of some key sections of the hospital such as the diagnostic center among others.Skipper Infra JLT has a 1500-bed hospital situated in India, among its chain of investments, and the hospital is the biggest in the whole of Asia. 
Daniel Iworiso-Markson
Senior Special Assistant to the Governor
(Media & Public Affairs)