FRIDAY March 28, 2025 |
By thenewsdesk.ng
The Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly (AKHA), has mandated its Committee on Education to liaise with the Vice Chancellor of the Akwa Ibom State University to commence the processes for the establishment of Faculty of Medicine in the University.
The House also mandated the Ministry of Health to commence the process that would lead to the actualisation of the Akwa Ibom State University Teaching Hospital project.
This followed a Motion presented before the House by Member representing Essien Udim State Constituency, Hon. Prince Ukpong Akpabio during Thursday’s plenary.
The Motion which tittled: “Need to Actualise the College of Medicine in the Akwa Ibom State University” would increase indigenous manpower in the health sector, provide professional training, as well as boost the school academic programmes.
Hon. Ukpong expressed concern over the absence of the Faculty of Medicine in the University, which according to him, operates to the disadvantage of indigenes of the state, hence the need to establish the Faculty in the school.
“Worried that, 15 years after its establishment, the university is yet to have a functional Faculty/College of Medicine.
“Aware that, sometimes in May 26, 2021, a groundbreaking ceremony for the establishment of the Akwa Ibom State University Teaching Hospital was held in Onna where public and private donors made significant funding pledges and partnership. Since that groundbreaking ceremony in 2021, no further action/information has been heard concerning the proposed Akwa Ibom State University Hospital”.
Meanwhile, the lawmakers unanimously supported the Motion considering the rising need of the programme in the university.
The Motion which was brought pursuant to order three rule one of the House’s Standing Order by Prince Akpabio, was seconded by member representing Nsit Ibom State Constituency, Hon. Eric Akpan.
The Speaker of the Assembly, Rt. Hon. ( Elder ) Udeme Otong, while commenting on the need for the establishment of a teaching Hospital to support the College of Medicine, referred the Motion to House Committee on Education to engage in with the University’s Vice Chancellor on the way forward of the faculty and report back to the House in one month.
