EDO TANKER EXPLOSION: RESIDENTS URGE OKPEBHOLO TO FULFIL ₦2.5BN UBTH PAEDIATRIC COMPLEX PLEDGE

Residents of Edo State have appealed to Governor Monday Okpebholo to sustain his administration’s commitment to healthcare development by following through on his pledge to support the construction of a ₦2.5 billion Paediatric Complex at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH).

The appeal followed the recent fuel tanker explosion along the Benin–Lagos Highway, which brought renewed attention to the need for adequate medical facilities to manage emergencies and provide specialised treatment for patients, including children.

Speaking with journalists during the governor’s visit to survivors receiving treatment at UBTH over the weekend, Mrs. Grace Amayo said the proposed complex would strengthen paediatric healthcare services and improve access to specialised treatment for children in Edo State and neighbouring communities.

Amayo also commended the Chief Medical Director of UBTH, Prof. Idia Ize-Iyamu, for efforts to restore the hospital’s Burns and Plastic Surgery Ward, describing the development as an important step towards improving the hospital’s capacity to treat patients with severe burns.

She noted that the ward, originally built by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC), had experienced years of neglect before being remodelled and restored under the current hospital management.

According to her, the rehabilitation of the facility highlights the importance of sustained investment in healthcare infrastructure and the need for continued collaboration between hospital management and government authorities.

The Oluku tanker explosion, she added, underscored the importance of maintaining functional medical facilities capable of responding to emergencies involving multiple casualties.

Amayo urged the state government to work with relevant stakeholders to advance the proposed paediatric project, noting that its completion would contribute to the long-term development of specialised healthcare services in the state.

She said the governor’s pledge presented an opportunity to strengthen existing healthcare infrastructure and expand services for children who require specialised medical attention.

“The proposed Paediatric Complex would be an important addition to UBTH’s healthcare services. We appeal to the governor to sustain the commitment and work towards its realisation so that children can benefit from improved access to specialised care,” Amayo said.

Governor Okpebholo, accompanied by Senator Adams Oshiomhole and other government officials, visited UBTH over the weekend to assess the condition of survivors of the Oluku tanker explosion who were receiving treatment at the hospital.

During the visit, Prof. Ize-Iyamu briefed the delegation on the medical condition and recovery of the patients. The survivors were among 11 people initially admitted following the incident, according to the information provided by the hospital management.

The governor expressed sympathy with the victims and extended condolences to families who lost loved ones in the disaster. He also pledged assistance to those affected by the incident.

The visit has drawn attention to the immediate medical needs of the survivors and broader questions about the capacity of healthcare facilities to respond to emergencies.

While the hospital continues to provide care for affected patients, residents have called for sustained investment in medical infrastructure, including the proposed Paediatric Complex.

The project’s implementation would depend on the next steps taken by the relevant authorities, including any formal arrangements, funding commitments and construction timelines.

As discussions continue, residents say they hope the governor’s pledge will translate into a project that strengthens paediatric healthcare delivery at UBTH and benefits children across Edo State and beyond.