By Smart Emmanuel, Abuja
The Tangale community in Gombe state, Nigeria has expressed its readiness to host a Federal Orthopedic hospital in Billiri, the headquarters of the Tangale nation.
Nigeria’s House of Representatives is currently considering a Bill seeking the establishment of Federal Orthopedic Hospital Billiri, and affiliate it to Federal Teaching Hospital Gombe.
Presenting a memorandum at the public hearing in Abuja, organised by National Assembly on the proposed hospital, the president of Tangale Community Development Association (TCDA), Mr. Phinas T. Gambo, praised the Speaker of the House of Reps, Mr. Tajudeen Abbas, and the Member Representing Balanga/Billiri constituency, Mr. Ali Isa, for their efforts in working on the Bill.
According to Mr. Gambo, the idea of siting the hospital in Billiri was well thought out, adding that “The proposed host community of the intended project is very well known for its hospitality. The people are very friendly and quite accommodating.”
He said the central location of Billiri in the zone makes it suitable to site the hospital in town.
Below is the memorandum he presented at the public hearing.
BEING MEMORANDA OF THE TANGLE NATION SUBMITTED TO THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES IN SUPPORT OF A BILL FOR AN ACT TO AMEND THE ORTHOPAEDIC HOSPITAL MANAGEMENT BOARD FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE ORTHOPAEDIC BILL TO BE AFFILIATED TO THE FEDERAL TEACHING HOSPITAL GOMBE PRESENTED BY THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES/ELDERS FOR TANGALE COMMUNITY ON WEDNESDAY 16TH OCTOBER, 2024 AT THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY.
Preamble
We the Board of Elders/Trustees representing the entire Tangale Community wish to appreciate with profound gratitude to God, the National Assembly, particularly the House of Representatives, under the leadership of the Speaker, the Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, GCON and our very untiring Hon. Member, Rt. Hon. Dr. Ali Isa JC, who doubles as the Minority Whip of the House of Representatives.
Justification of the bill
We graciously submit our position in support of the bill as follows:
- Land and terrain:
First and foremost, the terrain provides enough land with excellent drains that would accommodate very heavy special structures and constructions that could easily be made available.
- Centrality of Gombe State:
Although there is an Orthopeadic Hospital in Taraba, that it is situated far from other States of the zone/region which are Yobe, Borno, Bauchi and Gombe itself, Gombe State is located in the centre of the said region and can easily be accessed within the zone from all directions once the facility is situated within the said Gombe State.
- Centrality of Billiri:
Furthermore, the proposal of siting the orthopedic hospital in Billiri is not misplaced. It is to be noted that apart from Billiri Local Government being situated in the Gombe State of the North East Zone, Billiri likewise is centrally located within the six Local Government Areas out of the Eleven Local Government Areas of Gombe State, namely: Akko, Deba, Balanga, Kaltungo, Shongom and Billiri itself.
- Education:
Billiri Local Government is known as the most educationally advanced area with a fleet of well qualified professionals including Medical and Health Personnel, there is a State College of Education with fleet of Secondary Schools to cater for Personnel Children’s Education.
- Hospitability:
The proposed host community of the intended project is very well known for its hospitality. The people are very friendly and quite accommodating.
- Steady power supply:
There is an established National Electric Power Sub-Station in Billiri that supplies many Local Governments and beyond. This has occasioned the steady power supply in the entire catchment Local Government Area and beyond.
- Water Supply:
Billiri Local Government is endowed with abundant ground water that is easily accessible.
- Road Access:
Billiri Local Government is linked to all other Local Governments in the State with networks of State roads. It is also located along trunk “A” road that links Plateau State/Bauchi on the west to Gombe and Kano/Jigawa to North leading to Gombe passing through Billiri and finally terminates at Adamawa and Taraba State.
- Service Delivery Pressure:
Location of an Orthopedic Hospital in Billiri Local Government would certainly reduce the overwhelming pressure being exerted on the Federal Teaching Hospital.
- Security:
Billiri Local Government has a good security arrangement. It has the presence of the Nigerian Police with an Area Commander and DPO’s, the Department of State Security Service, the Area Civil Defense Office, as well as the Correction Centre. Another Security outfit is the Nigerian Immigration Service.
Finally, we are sincerely indebted to our Honourable Member the Minority Whip and this August Committee and indeed this able 10th National Assembly, particularly the House of Representatives for this golden opportunity accorded.
We pray this Honourable Assembly will find our presentation worthy and justifying the bill’s passage.
