CONTRACTORS COMMENCE EXECUTION OF N400BN ABANDONED HEALTH PROJECTS AS NATIONAL ASSEMBLY MOVES TO INVESTIGATE

The important roles the legislature play towards national development have again come to light in the provision of quality health care for Nigerians.

Applying its oversight and representation functions, the Senate through a motion raised by Sen. Dr. Yahaya Oloriegbe, the Chairman of its Committee on Health had made a move to investigate an alleged N400bn abandoned National Primary Health Center Projects approved and Commissioned during the tenure of President Olusegun Obasanjo.

The motion which was moved on the 16th of February 2022 called for investigation of the abandoned health projects which was funded through deductions from the excess crude account of all the 774 Local Government Areas in the country.

Majority of the projects which comprise of a sixty bed Primary Health Centers, complimented with a three-bedroom flat, doctors’ quarters, an ambulance, and with all basic hospital equipment and drugs in each local governments in the country have remained abandoned at various stages. Some were not even started despite huge sums of moneys released.

In a swift reaction to the development, the concerned contractors have mobilized and returned to site, dreading the outcome of the ongoing investigations. They have started reaching out to the local government authorities trying to expedite corrective measures against their alleged professional misconduct and breach of contract.

Medical equipment’s are now being deployed to local government authorities by the contractors, which indicates their readiness to resume work on the abandoned projects across the country.

Though the contractors have resumed work, the Health Committees of the National Assembly have resolved to continue with the investigations to determine what led to the abandonment as resolved by the Senate.

This will ensure that there is efficiency in Nigerians’ health investments and that such investments achieve intended outcomes.

By Philip Akoso (LISDEL)