The Member of Parliament for Weija-Gbawe, Jerry Ahmed Shaib, has called for fairness and due process in the handling of the contractor responsible for the stalled Weija Children’s Hospital project, who is currently in the custody of the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO).
Speaking to Channel One News, the MP said although he was not fully aware of the details surrounding the matter, he was concerned about the arrest and urged authorities to ensure that investigations are conducted fairly.
He also cautioned against allowing changes in political administration to affect the progress of critical public infrastructure projects.
According to him, healthcare projects should transcend political interests, stressing that the completion of the children’s hospital remains a priority for residents of Weija-Gbawe and surrounding communities.
The MP emphasised that his comments were not in defence of the contractor but rather in support of ensuring the project is completed to serve the healthcare needs of the people.
“We should come to a consensus, release the contractor. It’s an unfortunate situation and we need to change this modus operandi. I’m not speaking for the contractor; I’m speaking for doing good. If the man has done something wrong, the law should deal with him.
“But we must also ensure that the project is completed because the people are waiting for this facility,” he said.
He further appealed to the relevant authorities to engage the contractor in a manner that would facilitate the completion and handover of the project while ensuring that any wrongdoing is addressed through due process.
The MP described the situation as unfortunate and called for a change in the country’s approach to public projects, particularly when there is a change in government.
The contractor for the Weija Children’s Hospital project remains in the custody of EOCO as investigations continue into issues surrounding the facility.
The Weija Children’s Hospital, a 120-bed specialist facility initiated to expand access to paediatric healthcare in the Weija-Gbawe Municipality, has remained unused for years despite being completed, leaving residents without the intended healthcare services.
