In a move to foster stronger collaboration among public institutions for effective service delivery, the Honourable Federal Commissioner of the Public Complaints Commission (PCC) in Benue State, James Oche, has urged public office holders in the state to prioritise the welfare of citizens in the discharge of their duties.
Mr. Oche gave the charge in Makurdi during an unscheduled visit to the Chief Medical Director of the Benue State University Teaching Hospital (BSUTH), Dr. Stephen Hwande, where he commended the remarkable strides recorded under Hwande’s leadership.
The Commissioner, who recalled their days together at Mount Saint Gabriel’s Secondary School, described Dr. Hwande as a man driven by excellence and expressed satisfaction with his ongoing transformation of the teaching hospital.
Oche emphasised that the PCC, which serves as the Ombudsman in Benue State, has the statutory mandate to oversee public institutions and ensure accountability in service delivery. He explained that his visit was to provide an independent assessment of the BSUTH without prior notice.
Responding, Dr. Hwande highlighted some of the hospital’s achievements, including the establishment of a fully functional In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) centre at subsidised rates for the public, as well as a VIP smart clinic run by specialists. He also disclosed the remodelling of the Radiology Department, introduction of biometric attendance systems to curb absenteeism, sustained ultra-hygiene measures, and other reforms aimed at repositioning the hospital.
The visit also featured an inspection of ongoing projects within the facility, jointly conducted by Hon. Oche and his team alongside the BSUTH management.
The PCC delegation included senior officials such as Terkura Kpaakpa (Acting Director of Investigation), Onyilo Lucy (Deputy Director, ICT/PRS), Orhemba Akura Charles (Deputy Director of Investigation), Jeje Pretty (Assistant Director of Investigation, Enforcement), Ati Albert (Chief Investigation Officer and Area Offices Coordinator), Ogbu Austin (Assistant Chief State Counsel, Head of Legal Unit), and Agbese Gabriel (Principal Information Officer). Others on the team were Hon. Sunday Oche (Chief of Staff) and Jeffrey Joseph (Special Adviser to the Commissioner).
On the hospital’s side, Dr. Hwande was accompanied by Cynthia K. Orjime (Director of Administration), Mr. Titus Gbenyi (Deputy Director and Secretary, Top Management Committee), Mr. Ayila O. Nathaniel (Assistant Director of Administration), and Comr. Benjamin C. Ioryem (JOHECU Chairman).
