The Governor of Abia State Okezie Ikpeazu Ph.D. has cleared the air on the controversial N500 given to newborn mothers post-delivery stating that he was misunderstood.
Speaking in a special interview on the Broadcasting Corporation of Abia State Radio 88.1 FM Umuahia on Thursday, Governor Ikpeazu made it clear that the mortality rate in Abia State has decreased since his administration.
“I was misunderstood in the interview I granted some time ago. If you check in Abia State, there has been a 60% decrease in the mortality rate for newborn mothers. Apart from the equipment provided to the hospital, we made antenatal and birth delivery free for all mothers giving birth in Abia. When discharged, they are given N500 for their transport fare. This is just to get a motorcycle to their homes. With this, new mothers are being catered to and well taken care of.”
Still speaking on the hospitals, he made it clear that equipping the hospitals was such that every death will be accounted for and questions asked to ascertain what was not done correctly.
“This is why we have the Anne Marie Jackson Specialist Hospital to cater to the mother and child in Abia State. We know where we are coming from and we are proud of our success.”
Speaking further, he wished to bequeath the next Governor of Abia State Professor Uche Eleazar Ikonne a stable State and pray that he performs better than him.
“Just like the Former Governor Senator T. A. Orji prayed for me, I pray that Professor Ikonne performs better than I did and make Abia great.
