The Abia State Government has been called on to ensure transparency and accountability in the implementation of ‘Project Ekwueme,’ which aims to rehabilitate, remodel, and reactivate 200 primary healthcare facilities across the state’s 184 wards.
An Environmental Rights and Advocacy organization, the Foundation for Environmental Rights Advocacy and Development (FENRAD), made the call in a formal Freedom of Information (FOI) request addressed to Governor Alex Otti of Abia State through the Commissioner for Health.
The FENRAD is requesting the disclosure of detailed information on the locations of the healthcare facilities selected for the project.
According to Comrade Nelson Nwafor, Executive Director/Founder of FENRAD, the organization seeks to support the government’s efforts by independently monitoring the project’s implementation.
This he said, is to ensure that it meets its objective of enhancing access to quality healthcare, particularly in rural communities.
“We commend the Abia State Government for its commitment to improving healthcare infrastructure through this laudable initiative.
“However, in the spirit of transparency and public accountability, we urge the government to provide the full list of the 200 primary healthcare facilities, including their locations and implementation timeline,” Comrade Nwafor stated.
According to Nwafor, the FENRAD’s FOI request specifically seeks to know the comprehensive list of the 200 primary healthcare facilities, including their names and exact geographic locations (addresses and coordinates, if available).
“It also seeks the project implementation timeline for each facility to track progress.
“We want the details of the contractors engaged, including their scope of work, monitoring and evaluation frameworks to ensure quality service delivery,” he said.
The FENRAD boss said they believe that making such information publicly accessible will empower stakeholders, including community leaders and civil society organizations, to actively participate in the monitoring process, helping to prevent acts of sabotage and ensuring efficient utilization of allocated resources.
“Recall that Governor Otti, while flagging off the project at the Primary Healthcare Centre, Ngwu, Uzuakoli in Bende LGA, assured that the facilities will be equipped with renewable energy sources, efficient water supply systems, and other support infrastructure to improve operational efficiency. The Governor further emphasized the use of high-quality materials and the requirement for contractors to provide post-delivery maintenance for at least five years.
“FENRAD is optimistic that the Abia State Government will respond positively to this call for transparency, which aligns with global best practices in governance and project implementation,” Nwafor noted.