Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State has freed 21 indigent patients of Enugu State University of Science and Technology Teaching Hospital (ESUTH) to mark his first official work day.
Ugwuanyi announced the gesture on Tuesday while inspecting ongoing work in Enugu.
The governor, who paid an unscheduled visit to ESUTH, decried the condition of the patients held back in the hospital for their inability to offset their bills.
He said though the government took off with a lean purse that would not make him close his eyes while the people suffered.
“It is true we run a government of lean purse, but there is nothing else we can do in the face of this challenge.
“We cannot stay here as a government and the citizens of the state will be faced with this challenge,” he said.
Ugwuanyi assured the patients who shed tears of joy that the government would do all within its powers to make life comfortable for them.
“We are praying for you because you are part of us. Just keep smiling for we will do the needful and as we step out here your problems will be sorted out,” Ugwuanyi said.
Mrs Amanda Dennis, whose N85, 000 bill was cleared by the governor, thanked him for the gesture.
“I have never seen this type of goodwill before in my life. May God protect and guide the governor,” Dennis said.
Meanwhile at the Ogbete Main Market, the governor expressed sadness that the traders were faced with difficulties due to the deplorable condition of the access road.
He assured them that the road would be fixed in the next one month.
“We have started work in earnest and the contractor has assured us that this road will be fixed within one month.
“Let us give him the necessary cooperation by removing all illegal structures on the road to enable him deliver as promised,” he said.
Ugwuanyi said that the workers in the relevant ministries would not rest until the various projects were completed. (NAN)
