Former lawmaker representing Kaduna Central Senatorial District, Shehu Sani, has reacted to the recent comments from the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, that they are planning to build a state-of-the-art hospital for the lawmakers, National Assembly staff and their guests.
According to the report by Premium Times, Akpabio had said that the facility, designed to provide accessible and effective healthcare, will cater to senators, members of the House of Representatives, National Assembly staff, and visitors.
Akpabio revealed the plan in his welcome address to colleagues following the Eid-El-Kabir holiday.
The Senate had truncated its break to resume plenary earlier than scheduled, with a planned resumption date of July 2.
Akpabio further revealed that the state-of-the-art hospital will be constructed close to the federal legislature, ensuring easy access for the users.
Akpabio stressed the initiative's goal of providing functional healthcare for the legislative community.
The Senate President had said, "In this our second legislative year, it is our plan to establish a state-of-the-art medical facility in close proximity to us to serve the distinguished senators, honourable members, National Assembly staff, and our esteemed guests. This initiative aims to provide functional and effective healthcare for all."
The announcement was met with mixed reactions from members of the public, with many questioning why the lawmakers should plan to build an ultra-modern hospital for themselves and not for the people.
While reacting to the development, Shehu Sani said that building a new hospital for lawmakers is a waste of public funds because there is already a clinic provided for lawmakers.
In the statement he made on X on Friday, he said, "Establishing a new hospital for senators and Reps is a complete waste of public resources, knowing that there is an in-house clinic equipped for such services which lawmakers hardly patronize."