'Seun Ibukun-Oni, Abuja
DAILY COURIER – The Kogi State Government has announced plans to invest over ₦7 billion in the revitalization of 88 additional Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs) across the state’s 21 local government areas.
The announcement was made during a ceremony held at the Model Primary Healthcare Centre in Felele, Lokoja, where Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo, represented by the State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Abdulazeez Adams, officially handed over the project sites to contractors for immediate commencement of work.
According to Governor Ododo, this initiative is part of a broader strategy to upgrade over 150 PHCs to functional Level-2 healthcare facilities, reflecting the administration’s commitment to improving access to quality healthcare delivery across the state.
“This marks another bold step towards achieving effective healthcare delivery and universal health coverage for our people,” the governor stated. He further noted that the project is being executed with significant support from the World Bank.
Governor Ododo highlighted that the revitalization of these additional PHCs builds upon the earlier approval and ongoing upgrade of 70 PHCs, which are currently at various stages of completion. He praised the immediate past administration of former Governor Yahaya Bello for laying a solid foundation in the health sector, which the present administration is leveraging to ensure better healthcare outcomes.
The Governor commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his leadership in prioritizing grassroots healthcare access and expressed gratitude for the federal government’s support in advancing health initiatives in the state.
Contractors were urged to uphold the highest standards of professionalism and adhere to the stipulated timeline, ensuring all projects are completed within four months. Governor Ododo also emphasized the importance of community involvement in safeguarding the projects, calling on local government authorities and community stakeholders to take ownership and ensure the protection of facilities, personnel, and equipment.
“The contractors are expected to engage with local authorities and stakeholders in the communities to ensure an inclusive approach that incorporates social and environmental safeguards during project implementation,” he said.
To guarantee the success of the initiative, the Governor directed relevant authorities, under the coordination of the state’s Ministry of Health, to supervise the projects effectively.
As Kogi State steps into 2025, the comprehensive upgrade of these 88 PHCs is seen as a landmark effort toward achieving universal health coverage and improving the well-being of citizens, especially in underserved areas.
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