By Aniefiok Christopher
The people of Ikot Udo Ossiom in Ukanafun Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State Wednesday protested over the 21-year-old abandoned Comprehensive Health Centre by the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).
Awarded on December 10, 2004, the health centre that has reached advanced stage of completion was stopped after NDDC stopped mobilising the contractor.
Some the placards by the people numbering more than 100 bore: ”Save Our souls, NNDC,” ”NDDC, our mothers deserve a safe delivery” ”NDDC, complete Comprehensive Health, Ikot Udo Ossiom, Now” among others .
Addressing journalists during the protest by people of the area, the Chairman of Ikot Udo Ossiom Initiative, Comrade Oku Udoetor described abandoned project as an expression of callousness and disregard for the well-being of the community members.
Reading from a press statement that was jointly endorsed by Elder Nsidibe Umoren, the Secretary of the community-based, not-for-profit and non-governmental organization, Oku Udoetor stated that the community has, for the past 21 years, been denied access to essential healthcare service due to the abandoned health centre project by the N.D.D.C.
“The consequences of this neglect are devastating. Our people, particularly the elderly, pregnant women, and children, suffer from limited access to medical care, resulting in high child mortality rates, low life expectancy, and various healthcare-related issues,” he stated.
Reading further, Udoetor maintained that the NDDC’s mandate was to address development challenges in the Niger Delta region and forge sustainable development. ”But it appears the mandate has been crassly reneged upon due to the height of insensitivity by NDDC to a people.”
Reacting to the development, a former state Commissioner for Information, Mr Census Ekpu, a native of the Village in Southern Afaha Clan, comprising over 32 Villages, explained that the clan had existed without any healthcare facility until in 2004 when members of the community approached the management of the NDDC for an intervention that was granted.
He, however, expressed concern that the health facility with infrastructure at an advanced stage was abandoned, despite the effort of the community members including Mr. Ray Ekpu, a renowned journalist who even paid compensation for the economic trees on the land donated by respective owners.
The former Commissioner has, therefore, joined voices with other community members including Elder Aniekan Ido, a Community Leader, Mrs Willie Friday Okpuk, the Women Leader and Anietie Sunday Dick, the Youth Leader to call for immediate review and completion of the Health Centre project by the NDDC with state-of-the-art facilities.
The community members are also calling on the Commission to fix timeline for the completion of the project as well as commission same to provide essential healthcare services to the people of the village and neighbouring communities.
While calling on the Commission, relevant government stakeholders to heed their cry, the Ikot Udo Ossiom Initiative expressed concern that the abandoned health facility if not completed and put to use, might become a hideout to hoodlums and thereby pose security threat to the community and its environs.
“As a matter of urgency, the NDDC should order the contractor to return to site with immediate effect to salvage the dying populace of Southern Afaha Clan” the people added.
