The Borno State Government has revealed how Governor Babagana Zulum transferred diesel from the Government House where he lives to some hospitals in the state which were in total blackout.
Zulum had shown up unannounced at two hospitals in Maiduguri where he found patients in darkness due to power failure that had lingered for a number of days.
The hospitals included Umaru Shehu Ultra Modern Hospital and Fatima Ali Sheriff Maternity Hospital, both around densely populated Bulumkutu communities in Maiduguri.
Zulum who had just returned from Abuja got a hint from private sources that the hospitals were under blackout for days, so he went there to see things for himself.
The Governor then asked persons in charge of generators at both hospitals some technical questions, which led to his confirmation that the generators had no problems at all. They were fully functional, but lacked diesel to power them.
“It is very unfortunate that no official either from the Hospital Management Board or the Ministry of Health drew my attention to this outage” the governor queried.
“If we can power our streetlights constantly, I see no reason why we cannot power our hospitals” Zulum lamented as he consoled patients and their loved ones for being in darkness despite dealing with illnesses.
Wondering the quickest way to mobilize diesel, the governor directed that available diesel meant to power generators at the Government House, Maiduguri, where he lives, be immediately transferred by trucks to both hospitals, pending his meeting with officials of the state’s Ministry of Health the following day, to find sustainable solution.
Zulum orders upgrade of solar installations in Borno hospital
Meanwhile, as part of measures to ensure sustainable electricity in both hospitals, Governor Zulum, last night, directed an upgrade of existing solar-powered installation at Fatima Ali Sheriff Maternity Hospital.
Zulum also directed solar installations at Umaru Shehu Ultra Modern Hospital.
The governor, in his usual style, will potentially follow up of his directives to ensure permanent resolution.
