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Saliu Mustapha Foundation completes abandoned health facility in Kwara

By Emmanuel Olaiya
23 December 2022   |   1:24 am
Residents of Ubandawaki in Kwara State had in past months made a public outcry over the conversion of a healthcare facility that is supposed to serve the basic medical needs of the residents of the community to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) secretariat.

Residents of Ubandawaki in Kwara State had in past months made a public outcry over the conversion of a healthcare facility that is supposed to serve the basic medical needs of the residents of the community to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) secretariat.

The health facility, comprising eight rooms, was built by the Governor Mohammed Lawal-led administration in 2002 but the late governor could not complete the project because his re-election bid failed and his successor, former Governor Bukola Saraki abandoned the project.

It was gathered that as of the time it was abandoned, all that was left for the facility to be running was the supply and installation of some health equipment and posting of health workers.

However, the building has become a place where PDP members hold their meetings and other party activities, which allegedly contributed to the dilapidation of the structures.

But over the years, it appeared that the SOS of the community members had fallen on deaf ears of stakeholders until the Saliu Mustapha Foundation, a not-for-profit chaired by the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Saliu Mustapha, stepped in.

In October, the Foundation promised to renovate the facility and partnered with the Kwara State government for the supply of equipment and deployment of health workers.

Copies of letters obtained by newsmen showed the state government’s enthusiasm to revive the project and its nod for the Foundation’s requests.

In one of the letters issued on behalf of the Kwara State commissioner for health, which was dated November 4, 2022 it was stated that some health workers have been deployed to the facility.

“I am further directed to inform you that this facility is and will continue to be the property of the Kwara State Government, hence the Ministry should be duly acquainted with the details of your support and intervention.

Also be informed that the Kwara State Primary Health Care Development Agency has deployed some Staff and Medical Consumables for the Facility to function. You are therefore required to cooperate with them to ensure sustained service delivery in the facility,” the letter read in parts.

It should be noted that the Management of Saliu Mustapha Foundation recently announced the completion of work on the renovation of Ubandawaki Health Center.

“The renovation work, which lasted barely two months, was carried out with the full participation of the Kwara State Ministry of Health. With the successful completion of the project, the people of Ubandawaki would now make use of the health facility, which was first initiated by the government of the late Governor Mohammed Alabi Lawal,” the statement from the nonprofit stated.

The foundation emphasised its deep commitment to the overall welfare and wellbeing of the people at all times, noting its resolve to prioritise access to quality health care by all.

However, while accusations have mounted that Mustapha’s gesture was a cryptic message to Bolaji Abdullahi, who hails from Ubandawaki, many have said Mustapha was only exhibiting his nature.

Among previous numerous interventions, the APC candidate, through his foundation, commenced the rehabilitation of some dilapidated roads across suburbs in Kwara State in partnership with the state government.

The project supervisor, Engr. Sayi Murtala, the exercise is done in response to the numerous requests and complaints of residents of the areas.

He said that they have started by grading the road surface, removing potholes and other irregularities with the road grader.

Appreciation and accolades have continued to pour in for Mustapha over the rehabilitation of the roads, which residents said had been abandoned for years.

James Adeniji, an Ilorin-based development expert stated that while Mustapha’s contribution to development of infrastructure is laudable, the fact that the APC candidate did not cherry pick beneficiaries of these projects is noteworthy.

“We’ve had cases in the past where political office holders decide the part of the state that will benefit from projects and all. Mallam Mustapha’s case is rare,” he said.

It also shows that if elected, he would carry everybody, even his traducers, along.

“That is how governance should be,” the development expert reiterated.

The Team lead of a Kwara-based think tank, Kwara Development Initiative, opined that the Foundation has focused on issues that are neglected by many.

“The issue of health and infrastructure is germane when talking about development. It is good that that is what the foundation is focused on. If we have more of this initiative around, it will help raise our development indices.”

However, the spokesperson of the PDP in the state, Hon. Tunji Moronfoye, denied knowledge of the conversion of the health facility to the PDP secretariat.

“I have no idea about the conversion of a healthcare facility to PDP secretariat. How does that sound to you?” he said.

He further accused the ruling APC of spreading misinformation and propaganda.

Olaiya is a journalist based in Ilorin, Kwara State

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