Commencing on Tuesday, the North-East Development Commission began the process of rejuvenating the Central Medical Store in Gombe State.
Last February, the store suffered severe damage due to a fire incident.
The ongoing project aims to establish a modern medical facility with specialized cold storage for vaccines and a dry storage unit for essential medical supplies.
At the handover ceremony of the site to the contractor, Rufai Babamanu, the acting Coordinator of NEDC Gombe, affirmed that the project is set for completion within 12 months.
“By this time next year, we anticipate celebrating the successful conclusion and turnover of this critical project,” Babamanu declared.
He expressed gratitude to the state government for its collaborative efforts and urged the Ministry of Health and the local community to create a supportive atmosphere for the contractor, ensuring smooth project execution.
Dr. Habu Dahiru, the state Commissioner for Health, who headed the state’s delegation for the handover, remembered the tragic fire incident that struck the Central Medical Store in February, resulting in the loss of billions worth of vaccines and medical supplies.
Dahiru remarked, “Today signifies a significant leap forward with the NEDC’s initiative to rectify the unfortunate event by constructing a pharmaceutical-grade warehouse.”
He also acknowledged the NEDC for its continuous support in the health sector, including assistance for maternal and child health, provision of vaccines, anti-snake venom, and diverse capacity-building programs for healthcare personnel.
He reassured everyone of the state government’s full support to ensure the project’s successful completion. Dahiru emphasized his personal commitment to overseeing the project for seamless operations, emphasizing the government’s dedication to granting the commission unrestricted site access, fostering a spirit of collaboration among all stakeholders.