Lawrence Nwimo, Awka
Lawmaker representing Ogbaru Federal Constituency at the Federal House of Representatives, Hon Chukwuka Onyema, has disclosed reason he chose the church for the running of a Primary Health Centre he built as one of his constituency projects.
Hon Onyema, Saturday, at St Raphael Catholic Church Anumudu, Okpoko in Ogbaru Local Government Area, handed over a state-of-the-art health facility to the Catholic Archdiocese of Onitsha, Anambra State.
He said his decision to hand over the facility to the church was borne out of the failure of the sub-national governments which, most times, abandoned the care and maintenance of Federal projects attracted to the state.
“We always encounter difficulties in management and maintenance of Federal projects attracted from the Federal Government because neither the State nor the Local Government Council wants to spend money to ensure that they are in good condition to provide essential services to the people.”
Handing over the project to the church, the lawmaker who had, penultimate year, donated health facilities to the leadership of Anglican Church at St Luke’s Church, Okpoko and Ohita, respectively, stated that he is more confident in the capacity of the church to take care of projects better than communities and governments.
He stated that the projects were in fulfillment of the election promise he made to his constituency and stressed that his interest remained in providing adequate healthcare and better life to his people.
Speaking further during an interview, he said: “as human beings we need a lot of things but healthcare is the major need of the people. I noticed that people falling ill in this area do not have facilities for medical care. If you look around, you will notice that there is no government hospital in the whole of Okpoko and that has been a challenge on the people.
“The facility is a 25 bed capacity with theatre and 3 maternity wards for child delivery. I want the church to make us proud and make the mini hospital world class. They should give it their all. It doesn’t have to be situated in Lagos or Abuja to be the best.”
Hon Onyema also hinted that three signature projects are currently ongoing in three other communities, including hospitals in Odekpe and Ogwuikpele communities, respectively, and a Computer-Based-Test (CBT) Jamb Centre in Atani community.
Receiving the handover documents, the Catholic Archbishop of Onitsha Archdiocese, His Grace Most Revd Valerian Okeke, thanked the lawmaker for siting the project in the area and promised proper management of the facility. He also assured that the church will fully utilize the facility for the purpose for which it was built.
In a remark, member representing Ogbaru 1 state constituency in the Anambra State House of Assembly, Hon Noble Igwe, said the hospital was much needed in Okpoko as people, by virtue of the facility, will have access to medical care.
Earlier, the traditional ruler of Atani community, His Royal Highness, Igwe Augustine Ngoddy, said the hospital will be of immense value and benefit to the people of the area and urged the church to make the services affordable to all.
