Swears in New State Auditor-General…Appoints Pioneer CMD for New Tertiary Hospital
Krestnews Report
Nasarawa State Governor, Abdullahi Sule, has signed into law a bill establishing the Dalhatu Araf Specialist Hospital (DASH), Akwanga, announcing that ₦6 billion has been set aside for the immediate upgrade of the facility to full tertiary healthcare standards.
The Governor made this known on Wednesday at the Government House, Lafia, while assenting to the bill earlier passed by the Nasarawa State House of Assembly.
Governor Sule disclosed that the funding for the hospital upgrade would be drawn from ₦17 billion received from the World Bank, following the institution’s recognition of Nasarawa State for its strong ease-of-doing-business reforms.
“Out of the ₦17 billion given to us, we are keeping about ₦6 billion on site to be released immediately for the upgrade of DASH Akwanga to the level of a tertiary healthcare facility comparable to those in Lafia and Keffi,” the Governor stated.
He explained that the establishment of DASH Akwanga was driven by the administration’s resolve to ensure that each senatorial zone in the state has a functional tertiary health institution capable of addressing critical medical needs.
Governor Sule recalled that the original Dalhatu Araf Specialist Hospital in Lafia was donated to the Federal Government to serve as the teaching hospital for the Federal University of Lafia, making it necessary to establish another tertiary facility of equal status in Akwanga.
According to him, retaining the name Dalhatu Araf Specialist Hospital was deliberate, in honour of the late Dr. Dalhatu Araf, whose immense contributions to healthcare development spanned Nasarawa and Plateau states.
At the same event, the Governor swore in Kefas Julius Bala as the new State Auditor-General, following the confirmation of his appointment by the State House of Assembly.
Governor Sule charged the Auditor-General to uphold strict compliance with financial regulations and budgetary provisions.
“You must ensure that government expenditures are in line with approved budgets. This is critical to our resolve to eschew corruption and promote accountability,” he said.
He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to transparency, due process, and value for money in public service, stressing that the Office of the Auditor-General remains pivotal to prudent financial management.
In his response, the new Auditor-General pledged total dedication to his responsibilities, assuring the Governor of professional support in advancing good governance in the state.
As part of the ceremony, Governor Sule also announced the appointment of Dr. Abene Esla Ezekiel as the Pioneer Chief Medical Director (CMD) of DASH Akwanga.
Earlier, the Secretary to the Government of Nasarawa State, Barr. Labaran Shuaibu Magaji, SAN, confirmed that due process was strictly followed in the appointment of the Auditor-General and commended the Governor for his commitment to equitable distribution of infrastructure, human capital development, and quality healthcare delivery across the state. Follow www.krestnews.com