The Governor of River State, Chief Nyesom Wike, has relocated doctors at the state-owned Braithwaite Memorial Hospital to government guest houses in Port Harcourt.
The Governor’s decision to relocate the doctors and the Permanent Secretary of the State Ministry of Health with their families was prompted by the fire which gutted the doctors’ quarters.
The inferno, which came from the top floor of the two-storey building, started at about 3pm on Sunday. Although nobody was hurt during the incident, the inferno damaged the top floor of the doctors’ quarters.
The Governor, sympathised with the doctors and management of the Braithwaite Memorial Hospital, Port Harcourt over the incident.
He visited the quarters to supervise efforts of fire fighters to put out the inferno and also announced the setting up of a panel of inquiry to establish the immediate and remote causes of the inferno.
He said, he sympathise with the doctors affected by this fire incident. We thank God that no life was lost.
However, the Governor has directed the Health Commissioner to set up a panel of Inquiry to find out what led to the fire incident. If it is as a result of negligence, those involved will be sanctioned. We must endeavour to protect government property at all times.
He also commended the fire fighters from the State Fire Service, Shell and the Nigeria Ports Authority, who fought the inferno and prevented it from spreading. He declared that the state government would rebuild the burnt doctors’ quarters.
The governor was accompanied to the Braithwaite Memorial Hospital by the State Head of Civil Service, Mr. Rufus Godwins and Commissioner for Health, Dr. Odagme Theophilus.
