The Abdul Samad Rabiu Africa Initiative (ASR), together with the Akwa Ibom state government, Wednesday, held the groundbreaking and flag-off ceremonies for the construction of Akwa Ibom State University Teaching Hospital in Uyo, the state capital.
The construction project is being supported by a N5 billion ASR Africa Health Infrastructure Grant for which N2.5 billion was disbursed immediately to commence the construction exercise.
The ASR Africa Initiative was established by African industrialist, philanthropist and founder of Nigeria’s BUA Group, Abdul Samad Rabiu, and seeks to support sustainable development initiatives in Health, Education and Social Development within Nigeria and the rest of Africa through its annual $100 million dollars ‘Africa Fund for Social Development and Renewal’.
In his comments, the governor of Akwa Ibom state, Dr. Udom Emmanuel, thanked the ASR Africa initiative and its Chairman, Abdul Samad Rabiu for the gesture and promised to ensure the grant is put to good use.
“We are happy to receive the first tranche of N2.5billion from the ASR Africa Initiative and today’s groundbreaking ceremony coming just two weeks after the N5billion grant was announced signposts the seriousness we attach to delivering a teaching hospital that would be a model for others and one Nigeria would be proud of”, the governor said.
Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony, Ubon Udoh, Managing Director of ASR Africa, stated that the purpose of the gesture was to align with the government’s developmental plans for the people of the state.
“We earlier in the month announced a N5billion grant to the state for healthcare and social development as part of our annual $100 million dollars Annual Africa Fund for Social Development and Renewal. Today, we have also handed over a first tranche of N2.5billion to commence construction of the Teaching hospital which will be of international standards. This project in collaboration with the Akwa Ibom State Government, will be implemented and monitored fully in line with the ASR Africa Mutual Accountability Framework”, Udoh said.