UCH Power Outage: ICPI, Ibadan Chiefs, Other Stakeholders Express Outrage

The traditional institution in Ibadanland, Chiefs, Ibadan Compound Peace Initiative (ICPI), prominent sons and daughters of the ancient city, and other stakeholders have lamented unending power outrage at the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan.

They alleged that many poor people were badly affected on daily basis as a result of power outage at critical units in the hospital, saying Ibadan people and entire people in the state are not happy with the situation.

Recall that some patients at the hospital few months ago protested inadequate healthcare delivery as a result of power outrage in the hospital. Recently, students of University of Ibadan (UI) also showed their grievances and protested over the power outrage at the hospital.

A statement by ICPI Coordinator on behalf of the stakeholders charged government and concern authorities to wade in and save the hospital, which according to them was an heritage not only to Ibadan but entire southwest and Nigeria as a whole from total collapsing.

The stakeholders noted that Ibadan people and entire Oyo state owned 90% of patients at UCH, saying how many Ibadan people or people from Oyo state will have to die before the needful is done.

The statement reads, “We are inundated with the ongoing power outage at UCH, our investigation revealed that UCH are helpless because IBEDC took them from Band B to Band A, how will an hospital that was not able to meet it’s financial requirement being in B and will be to pay now that it has been upgraded to band A? where will they get money to pay?

“Their bill monthly was increased from N20m to N40m, and its now N99m per month, where would they see such money? Was the same bill giving to other teaching hospitals across the country, shouldn’t be a concession IBEDC should be doing for teaching hospitals like UCH considering it’s service delivery in health sector?

“All effort of UCH management on the issue has been frustrated by IBEDC, for now, UCH didn’t have enough fund to go into alternative power supply like solar and others.

“Can we say President Tinubu is not kind enough to Ibadan by giving us Ibadan son as Minister for Power? Adelabu said he is making plan to savage this issues, how many people will have to die as a result of power outage at critical section of UCH?

“Where is our political office holders in this matter, UCH has written several letters to the Governor of the state, to federal government and management of IBEDC on the issue to no avail . The management has contacted the Indigenous Group like Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII) and other Pressure groups, yet no result.

“When will the Independent Power Project (IPP) by the state government take effect? How many people will have to die before the magic from the federal ministry of power begin.

“Let’s IBEDC restore the light immediately, they shouldn’t allow poor people to die, our leaders and politicians know how to run abroad to seek for medical care whenever the need arises

“Ibadan people are not happy, Mogajis are not happy, poor people are dying on daily basis, power must be restore to UCH now unconditionally.”