The Akwa Ibom State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to delivering the proposed Ibom International Hospital on schedule following an inspection visit by the Joint Ministerial Supervisory Committee to the project site.
The hospital, a 350 bed, nine floor specialist facility conceived by the administration of Governor Umo Eno, is designed to strengthen healthcare delivery and position the state as a destination for advanced medical services. On Tuesday, the committee visited the site to assess progress on early foundation activities being handled by Tokiye International Medical Services.
The inspection team was led by the committee chairman and Commissioner for Health, Ekem Emmanuel, alongside the alternate chairman and Commissioner for Special Duties, Emem Almond Bob. The visit also featured a technical session with the contractor and the project consultant, ORNEL Design Consultant, during which progress reports were reviewed and delivery targets restated in line with approved schedules.
Committee members toured key sections of the project site, including the three main wings, and observed pile reinforcement fabrication, batching plant operations, and ongoing pile drilling works.
Speaking after the inspection, Dr Emmanuel said the project timeline earlier approved by the Governor remained unchanged, stressing that the eighteen month delivery period was non negotiable. He described the pace and quality of work as reassuring, noting the visible level of organisation, technical competence, and workforce engagement across skill levels.
He said the committee was satisfied with the progress recorded and would brief the Governor accordingly, adding that the scale of activity on site reflected deliberate planning and strong political will to deliver a project of strategic importance to the state.
Mr Bob also expressed confidence in the project, describing it as a major step towards reducing overseas medical travel while stimulating growth in the state health economy. He said the hospital would attract international attention and urged continued close coordination between the contractor and consultant to ensure strict compliance with specifications and quality standards.
Representatives of the consultant and contractor, including Architect Iniobong Orok of ORNEL Design and Engineer Ufouma Userwhoro of Tokiye International Medical Services, thanked the state government for the confidence placed in their teams and pledged to deliver the project within the agreed timeframe.
Other officials present at the inspection included the Governor’s delivery adviser on the project, Augustine Umoh, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Special Duties, Udosen Udoh, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health, Patrick Essiet, and the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Technical Matters, Charles Okorie, among others.
