The Federal Government has moved to accelerate the establishment of the proposed Federal Medical Centre (FMC) in Udu Kingdom, Delta State.

Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Adekunle Salako, disclosed this on Wednesday in Abuja when he received the Paramount Ruler of Udu Kingdom, HRM Engr. Michael Ogheneovo Orugbo, who led a delegation on a courtesy visit to the ministry.

Salako assured the delegation that key milestones, including the groundbreaking ceremony at the permanent site, would be achieved within the current administration’s timeline. He said the engagement underscores ongoing collaboration between the Federal Government and host communities to expand access to tertiary healthcare infrastructure across the country.

He added that the project had been prioritised by the ministry, noting that medical commodities worth millions of naira had already been deployed to strengthen operations at the temporary site.

The minister said the initiative aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which places emphasis on improved healthcare delivery as a driver of national development.

“There is no way you can renew the hope of anybody if you do not secure the health of the people,” he said, adding that the administration had established “the highest number of new federal tertiary health institutions in just about three years.”

Salako further disclosed that the hospital’s management had been directed to produce a five-year development plan to guide budgeting and phased implementation.

“It is when we have an overview of what the plan is that we can align it with our budgeting process,” he said.

On timelines, he assured that the Federal Government would ensure visible progress on the permanent site, adding that efforts were underway to hold a formal groundbreaking ceremony before the end of the President’s first term.

He also commended the Udu Kingdom for donating land for the project and pledged that the ministry would provide guidance on proper documentation and ownership processes, while aligning digital health plans with national systems.

“I want to sincerely appreciate Your Highness for this visit. It reflects your passion for development, because clearly, without your initiative, this would not have happened,” he said.

Earlier, the monarch, HRM Orugbo, described the visit as a gesture of appreciation to the Federal Government and the minister for facilitating the approval and siting of the FMC in Udu Kingdom.

“This visit really is a thank-you visit. The President graciously approved your recommendation for us to have a Federal Medical Centre sited in my kingdom, and since then, we know you have been working assiduously to ensure the project takes off without delay,” he said.

He stressed the importance of healthcare and education as key drivers of development.
“From our own perspective, health and education are the fore-bearers of development in any society,” the traditional ruler said.

Orugbo also highlighted the community’s contributions, including provision of a temporary site and donation of medical supplies to support early operations.

He disclosed that he personally donated drugs worth ₦5 million and said additional support was being mobilised from indigenes, including those in the diaspora.

The monarch urged the Federal Government to expedite the next phases of the project, particularly land documentation and facility design.

“We have carried out the survey of the land, but we need to move beyond the survey plan,” he said, assuring continued cooperation from the kingdom.

“Any area you think you need our support, you will definitely get it from us. We are there for you, and we know you are here for us,” he added.