Date: 2018-04-17

Construction works have started at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) sited in Ilorin, Kwara state.

The project, which was facilitated by the Senate President Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki was part of his efforts to bring adequate healthcare delivery system to the door steps of the people of the state.

The medical facility is sited at Ita-Nma area of Ilorin West local government area in Ilorin metropolis.

Residents of Ilorin, especially those residing at Ita- Nma and Oke-Foma axis were excited over the project.

The people during an interaction with newsmen expressed gratitude to the Senate President for bringing FMC to Ilorin and for specifically siting it at Ita- Nma and Foma axis of the metropolis.

Apart from bringing healthcare delivery system to their door steps, the residents were optimistic that the facility, when operational, would boost commerce in the area and as well provide thousands of direct and indirect job opportunities for the people of the state.

In a related development, a group known as Kwara Advancement Initiative (KAI) has described the medical centre as a monumental project.

The coordinator of the group, Mr. Lawal Surajudeen made the assertion when he led other members of KAI on an inspection visit to the construction site at the weekend.

While thanking the Senate President for attracting the FMC to Ilorin, Surajudeen said the project when completed, "would not only go a long way in boosting health services delivery to the people of Kwara state but will also create direct and indirect jobs for thousands of Kwara and Nigeria in general.

"The Medical Centre would make Kwara state to become a reference point as the modern health gadgets that will be provided at the Centre will stimulate many people from other states of the federation to patronise the state, in search of standard and modernized health services.

"In addition, socio-economic development, employment opportunities for Kwarans and lots of others are not left out in the goodies which this project would bring to the state of harmony.

"Kudos must be given to the Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki for using his political influence to ensure that Kwara state eventually got this federal government project amidst serious competitions from other states in the north-central geo-political zone," he said.