January 23, (THEWILL) – A group under the aegis of Good Life For Ijaw People (GLFIP) has slammed the Federal Government over the delay in the appointment of a substantive medical director for the Federal Medical Center, Yenagoa in Bayelsa State.
According to the group, despite the screening of three candidates with scores and recommendations made on who is most qualified to be appointed medical director of the institution by the Medical and Dental Consultants Association of Nigeria, Federal Ministry of Health, Department of State Services (DSS), and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), the President Tinubu-led Federal Government remained reluctant to appoint a medical director to the detriment of the institution.
The President of the Good Life For Ijaw People (GLFIP), Chief Tamunoemi Mindiwari, in a statement in Yenagoa, said since the completion of the two-term tenure of the former Medical Director, Dr Dennis Allagoa, on March 10, 2023, the Federal Government appointed an acting Medical Director to oversee the affairs of the hospital thereby playing politics with the health of Ijaw people.
He explained that the powers of the acting Medical Director were limited, adding that for the hospital to operate optimally for better healthcare services for the people of Ijaw land, the Federal Government owes the Ijaw people a duty to appoint a substantive medical director for the health facility.
Mindiwari stressed that seven other Federal Medical Centers where candidates were screened and recommended at the same time have since been appointed and functioning effectively.
“We want to plead with President Tinubu to appoint the best amongst the three screened consultants as the substantive medical director to enable the people of Bayelsa State to enjoy the facility,” he stated.
Mindiwari, however, said Good Life For Ijaw People, as a pressure group, believe in the Renewed Hope mantra of President Bola Tinubu and expressed optimism that something will be done soon.
About the Author
Amos Okioma is a Correspondent at THEWILL
