How Gov. Otti was Celebrated for Spending N2.9BN to Repaint Hospitals in Abia (Documents) | #NwokeukwuMascot

 Opinion 

WHERE ARE GOVERNOR OTTI'S N2.9BN HOSPITALS? By Eke O Ako for Ekcon Consults | #NwokeukwuMascot

Photo: Abia Multi-Specialist Hospital built by Ikpeazu’s Administration | Alex Chioma Otti.

Governor Alex C. Otti started well in the health sector by repainting & re-equipping the Abia State Diagnostic Centre Umuahia. He went on to carry out the same exercise on the long-abandoned Abia State University Teaching Hospital Aba (ABSUTH). Before recovering the hospitals, he launched a free medical outreach in July 2023.


As shown in the graph below created from data from Abia Government published quarterly budget implementation reports, Governor Otti spent a total of N2.9bn on capital projects under the Ministry of Health, between the 9 months of July 2023 and March 2024.

Out of this sum, N875m was used to repaint and re-equip the Diagnostic Centre and ABUSTH; although analysts believe that the cost of remedial works on the two hospitals are on the very high side, considering the work done. There are no reports of any of the state's dilapidated General Hospitals & Health Centres, rehabilitated during the period.


The budget performance reports also showed that Governor Otti spent N1.07bn on the construction of new hospitals; however, questions have risen from many quarters regarding the location of the new hospitals, and other unknown capital projects that cost Abians up to N1bn between July 2023 and May 2024. There are no announcements or reports from the government regarding any new hospitals completed.


As shown in the graph below, Governor Otti spent N3bn in Research & Development between July 2023 & March 2024. Many Abians continue to ask questions about the details of the research project the government completed with such a huge sum, as there has been no research outcome or improvement in the state's health management system in terms of digitalisation, and overall efficiency of the health system. 

The budget performance reports also showed that a total sum of N772.8m was spent on medical expenses in the Governor's office during the same period. The funds were spent for the purchase of medical equipment, drugs/medical supplies and local medical expenses as presented on the graph below.


Governor Otti spent the sum of N2.80bn on personnel costs during the 9 months under review. While it is refreshing to see that health workers are now paid their wages regularly, their wages and allowances have remained below the national average, as Governor Otti's government is yet to implement wage awards which other states had given to their workers.

There has equally not been any advertisement for employment of health workers into the state’s health institutions since Governor Otti came to power, and no training or capacity building programmes was organized by the government for health workers despite a spend of 3bn in capacity building the government during the period.


Despite a total spend of about N6.52bn on the health sector in 9 months, plus N6bn on research, development and capacity building, there has not been any major improvement in Abia’s health system and indices. 


There has been no reduction in infant, maternal, or adult mortality rates, no increase in the patronage of government hospitals, no improvement in the health delivery system, no accident & emergency systems/units, no ambulance services, no innovations, and no change in the welfare & motivation of health workers.


It is not clear if the two recovered hospitals are now fully functional, as patients have been referred to private hospitals  in the state from the 2 hospitals in recent times. It is also not clear if the free medical outreach was successful.


Till date, most of the state-owned general hospitals and health centres are still in unusable condition, just like Okpaula-Ngwa General Hospital pictured below. 👇🏽 


Sources of Data:

Abia State Budget Performance Reports Q3 2023

Abia State Budget Performance Reports Q4 2023

Abia State Budget Performance Reports Q1 2024

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

BREAKING: Governor Otti Suspends Health Commissioner Over Financial Impropriety | #NwokeukwuMascot

Image
  News   Governor Otti Suspends Health Commissioner Over Financial Impropriety | #NwokeukwuMascot Dr Alex Chioma Otti Umuahia, Abia State - In a decisive move to address concerns of financial mismanagement, Governor Alex Otti of Abia State has indefinitely suspended Dr. Ngozi Okoronkwo, the Commissioner for Health. The suspension, reportedly due to allegations of financial impropriety and mismanagement of funds, was announced during a state executive council meeting held today at the Governor’s private residence in Isiala Ngwa South Local Government Area. Dr. Okoronkwo's suspension marks the second high-profile dismissal in Governor Otti's administration. Earlier, Pastor Dike Nwankwo, the Director General of the Abia State Orientation Agency, was removed from office under similar circumstances. The Otti administration has been under increasing scrutiny, with widespread calls for the investigation of other officials over allegations of corruption.  Dr. Ngozi Okoronkwo Notably, w
Read more

Otti Adds More Names on Transition Committee List, Following Social Media Outcry on Plans To Disfranchise Ukwa-Ngwa People | #NwokeukwuMascot

Image
Dr Alex Chioma Otti More Names Emerge, As Igwe, Eziuche, Ahia, Umeh Kalu, Etiaba, Nwokocha, Ubani, Others Makes Otti’s Transition Council List The Abia Governor-Elect, Dr. Alex Otti OFR, has unveiled a Crack Team of his Transition Committee Members ahead of his inauguration as the Governor of Abia state on May 29, 2023. The Transition Committee list which contains many eminent Nigerians from different backgrounds, has Mr. Victor Onyenkpa, Partner and COO, KPMG, as Chairman, and cochaired by Mrs. Ifueko Omogui Okauru, former Executive Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS). Ms. Arunma Oteh, former Director General of Nigeria’s Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC); former Treasurer and Vice President of the World Bank and currently a Director at FSD Africa, and resident scholar at Oxford University’s Said Business School, is also on the Council; Professor Ndubuisi Ekekwe, a Nigerian-born inventor who helped Apple design a semiconductor for the iPhone; Mr Uche Orji, the
Read more

VIDEO: Mixed reactions as controversial, crossdresser, James Brown s3x tape leaks.

Image
James Brown who is believed to be gay,  In a video all over the Internet was seen having unprotected s3x with a female whose face was not shown. In the video, Brown’s face was boldly seen. Many have now reacted on twitter, wondering what Brown is doing with a woman. Some even mocked him for having long nails on during the not so pleasant intercourse, scroll down for video. Below are some reactions of twitter users; ”Seeing James Brown having s3x is yet another proof that the real gay people don’t make noise on social media, the ones making noise are just hustling. ”James Brown still fix nails dey bang woman, Princess of Africow o purrrr. ”That James Brown video has to be the most traumatizing thing I’ve seen this year. ”Thought James brown was g@y? See as the werey burst sperrm full that girl body. ”I’m not surprised James Brown is having s3x with a female but unprotected sex?? 1f633.svg Not trying to be a stereotype but has he forgotten he has retroviral disease?? ”James brown S3x Tap
Read more