Reported by Ariajegbe Sylvia Esezobor
The Federal Capital Territory Administration has approved the immediate completion and equipping of the long-abandoned Utako General Hospital and the renovation, rehabilitation and upgrading of all 14 existing general hospitals across the territory, in what officials described as a comprehensive intervention to strengthen healthcare delivery in the nation’s capital.
The decisions were among the major resolutions of the 19th meeting of the FCT Executive Council, presided over by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and attended by the Minister of State, Dr Mariya Mahmoud. The council considered 20 memoranda from various secretariats, departments and agencies, according to the Chief of Staff to the Minister, Chidi Amadi.
Briefing journalists after the meeting on Tuesday, the Mandate Secretary for Health Services and Environment Secretariat, Dr Adedolapo Fasawe, said the council deliberated extensively on the state of healthcare delivery in the territory before approving the comprehensive intervention. “Today at the Executive Council, there was a particular deliberation on the health system. I am happy to say that the Minister has ordered the immediate award of renovation, rehabilitation and upgrading of all the general hospitals in the FCT,” she said.
The upgrade will involve a comprehensive overhaul of infrastructure and the provision of modern medical equipment, including advanced diagnostic machines, X-ray machines and modern surgical equipment for operating theatres. The planned intervention covers primary and secondary healthcare facilities across the six Area Councils, and is expected to improve access to healthcare and reduce pressure on tertiary health institutions in the capital.
On the Utako General Hospital, Fasawe said Wike had directed the immediate resumption of work on the abandoned project, its full equipping and the deployment of medical personnel to enable the facility commence operations. “What then happens now is that when the hospitals are upgraded, the equipment are there, and the personnel are there, then quality, affordable, and accessible healthcare will be available for the people of the FCT,” she said. The facility had remained abandoned for several years, and its revival represents a significant addition to the FCT’s secondary healthcare capacity.
Fasawe also disclosed that the FCT Administration had continued to meet its financial obligations to Health Maintenance Organisations through the payment of premiums and capitation under the territory’s health insurance scheme, ensuring that enrollees can access services without disruption.
The health sector approvals were part of a broader set of decisions taken at the council meeting. In the justice sector, the council approved the digitalisation of the FCT High Court, covering about 67 courtrooms across its various judicial divisions. The General Counsel, Salman Dako, said the project would introduce electronic court recording and case-management systems to replace manual recording and physical filing of cases, with implementation expected to commence immediately and noticeable improvements targeted within two weeks.
In the education sector, the council approved two contracts for the provision of examination materials for pupils and students in primary, junior secondary and senior secondary schools across the FCT. The Mandate Secretary for Education, Danlami Hayyo, said the approval was part of the administration’s ongoing transformation of public schools through renovation, rehabilitation, improved classroom facilities and the provision of instructional materials.
The Satellite Towns Development Department secured approval for a N5.703 billion contract for the construction of a 33KVA power supply line from Dawaki to Tukulo and surrounding villages in Bwari Area Council. The contract was awarded to CGC Nigeria Limited and is expected to be completed within eight months. The council also ratified two previously completed and commissioned road projects in the satellite towns, including the Gaba-Tukulo Road and two-span river bridge in Bwari Area Council, awarded to Setraco Nigeria Limited for N8.219 billion.
The decision to revive the Utako General Hospital comes amid persistent concerns about access to quality healthcare in the FCT, particularly in satellite towns and underserved communities. The 14 existing general hospitals will receive new X-ray machines, diagnostic equipment and theatre upgrades, addressing longstanding gaps in the territory’s secondary healthcare infrastructure. For residents of the FCT, the approvals represent a tangible commitment to improving the availability of affordable and accessible healthcare services. As Fasawe put it, when the hospitals are upgraded, the equipment are there, and the personnel are there, quality, affordable and accessible healthcare will be available for the people of the FCT. The coming months will determine whether the approvals translate into functional facilities and improved outcomes for the residents they are meant to serve.
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