By Abel Johngold Orheruata, MNIPR
Asaba, Delta State – The Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Asaba, received a high-profile visit on Tuesday, March 25, 2025, as the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, toured the facility to assess its progress and challenges. His visit brought to light a pressing issue—the hospital’s struggle with land encroachment, which threatens its expansion and future growth.
Dr. Salako, welcomed by the Chief Medical Director (CMD), Dr. Victor A. Osiatuma, embarked on an extensive tour of the hospital, where he lauded the management team for its dedication to infrastructural and clinical development. However, he expressed concern over the hospital’s limited space, which he described as a major constraint on its ability to accommodate new medical innovations.
In a bid to seek solutions, the minister paid a courtesy visit to the Asagba of Asaba, HRM Prof. Epiphany Azinge, SAN, OON, at his palace. There, he appealed for the monarch’s intervention in reclaiming portions of FMC’s allocated land that have been encroached upon. He stressed that retrieving the lost land would pave the way for much-needed expansions and improvements in healthcare delivery.
Dr. Salako also highlighted the purpose of his visit to Asaba, revealing that he accompanied the First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, for the official flag-off of the distribution of 10,000 midwife kits. This, he said, underscores the government’s unwavering commitment to maternal and child healthcare.
In response, the Asagba of Asaba acknowledged the urgency of the land issue, admitting that while FMC was initially allocated a large expanse, the current encroachments were concerning. He assured the minister that the matter would be investigated, emphasizing that Asaba would not allow one of its key federal institutions to suffer due to lack of space.
The monarch further suggested an alternative approach—establishing an extension or annex for FMC Asaba if reclaiming the encroached land proves difficult. He reiterated his advocacy for greater federal presence in Asaba, noting that his recent visit to the presidency had focused on securing more development projects for the city.
Commending Dr. Salako’s commitment to healthcare reform, the Asagba urged him to remain steadfast in tackling challenges within the sector.
“There is much work to be done, but I am confident that under your watch, we can achieve so much,” the monarch stated.
The minister, in turn, congratulated the Asagba on his ascension to the throne, offering prayers for a long and impactful reign.
Dr. Salako’s visit not only reinforced the federal government’s dedication to healthcare improvement but also highlighted the urgent need to safeguard public health institutions from land disputes that could hinder their growth and service delivery.
