In an effort to develop the health sector and industrialize the state, the Benue state government has signed a memorandum of understanding with Shanghai Haitian Hospital and Sinoki Systems Limited in the areas of Health and energy development.
Announcing the recent development the state governor Hycienth Alia noted that the development will facilitate academic and clinical interchange between the Benue State University Teaching Hospital Makurdi, in the area of joint studies, training activities, and other educational exchanges of mutual interest and Shanghai Haitian Hospital.
The Governor expressed delight as he signed the two Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) at the Old Banquet Hall of the Benue State Government House, Makurdi on Monday.
He noted that he was optimistic and believed that the partnerships would open many more doors of investments in the State. He further added that his administration will be pleased to welcome more investors into the state.
Speaking further, Governor Alia described the partnership with the Shanghai Haitian Hospital as a great feat for the state. He asserted that his administration is committed to enhancing the overall health sector in the state, which will dissuade the trend of health tourism to other countries.
“I am quite excited because our administration’s focus is to improve the health sector in the state that will be capable of increasing the lifespan of our people. The Benue State University Teaching Hospital as a partner in this is going to benefit from this collaboration, and we hope to discourage our people from going overseas on medical tourism. There is nothing wrong with translating the finances spent elsewhere into our system.
“The partnership with the Shanghai Haitian Hospital will open more doors, especially as we also have Tertiary healthcare systems here in the state. Where we inherited the total collapse of the healthcare system, we need to put all machinery in place to ensure that beginning from the primary to our tertiary health institutions, there are improvements.” the governor said
Another MOU signed by the government was with Sinoki Systems Limited for the establishment of a hybrid solar panel factory in the state.
The governor expressed his excitement saying the partnership will address issues of power supply faced in the state. He also explained that power supply is a big factor for businesses to flourish in the state.
The governor also stressed that “the partnership is going to be a plus to the State as it will bring about the establishment of Hybrid Solar Panel Company in Benue State, through a Private Partnership agreement between the Benue State Government and Sinoki System Limited”.
“As I have mentioned at other fora, we are a state that is open for business, and we are welcoming investors into our state to come and do business”.
“The establishment of the Hybrid solar panel company in the state has come at a time when the electricity situation has been epileptic. But for business to thrive, we need some stability of electricity. This is one quick fix to the anxiety and I am very excited about it”. He said
Governor Alia is calling for more investors to seize this possibility to harvest untapped investment opportunities in the state. He assured potential investors that the state will make an effort to create a conducive environment for businesses in the state to prosper.
Hon. Alex Adingi, Special Adviser to the Governor on International Investment in his earlier address while introducing the investors, stated that the investors have conveyed their intent to partner with the state government in the two areas. And this is in the area of health and energy which he affirmed is for the overall good of the state which is why they have come to sign the partnership agreement.
Representing the Shanghai Haitian Hospital is William Wang, Director of the Shanghai Haitian Hospital while Liu Hai Ding represented Sinoki System Limited
