FCT council abandons clinic 6 years after completion

Residents of the Dokuma community in Kawu ward, Bwari Area Council of the FCT, have expressed concern over the council’s failure to take over a clinic built in the community six years after it was completed. During a visit to the community on Wednesday, residents told Abuja Metro that the clinic was built in 2019 […]

Residents of the Dokuma community in Kawu ward, Bwari Area Council of the FCT, have expressed concern over the council’s failure to take over a clinic built in the community six years after it was completed.

During a visit to the community on Wednesday, residents told Abuja Metro that the clinic was built in 2019 by the Community Social Development Project (CSDP), a World Bank-assisted initiative through the FCT Administration (FCTA).

They noted that since the clinic was commissioned, Yakubu Samuel—a local volunteer and native of the community—has been the sole health personnel manning the facility.

A community member, Mr. Joseph David, said several efforts have been made through the village chief to urge the council to take over the clinic and provide necessary equipment, but these have yet to yield a positive response.

“In fact, I was the secretary of a committee set up by our village chief immediately after the clinic was built. We intended to meet with the authorities of the Bwari Area Council to facilitate the takeover and equipping the facility, but nothing has changed to this day,” he said.

He added that the volunteer treats patients and handles labour for pregnant women.

“I have also written several letters since Musa Dikko was the chairman, requesting the council to take over the clinic, especially as neighboring villages also seek medical treatment here, but nothing has been done,” he added.

The volunteer, Yakubu Samuel, a graduate of the Shehu Idris College of Health in Kaduna State, confirmed he has been the only person catering to the health needs of the community and surrounding villages since 2019.

Samuel noted that the burden of providing healthcare would be significantly reduced if the area council adopted the facility.

He pointed out that the community had already contributed 10 percent of the project’s total cost as part of the CSDP requirements.

“The area council’s involvement would alleviate the financial and administrative pressures of running the clinic, allowing for more effective healthcare delivery,” Samuel said.

He listed the lack of drugs, equipment, manpower, electricity, and a borehole as major challenges.

He revealed that he often uses his own personal equipment and funds to keep the facility running.

“With current inflation and the hike in drug prices, I barely have enough to live on because many residents cannot afford the medication,” he lamented.

High demand, poor access

Despite the lack of support, Samuel attends to five or more patients daily and handles deliveries.

He noted that pregnant women often have to travel to Kagarko in Kaduna State for prenatal care because of the facility’s limitations.

“The pressure is immense because I am alone. Traveling from this village to Kawu to access healthcare is difficult due to the distance and the deplorable state of the roads,” he said.

Samuel appealed to the council authorities, under the leadership of John Gabaya, to come to the residents’ aid by officially taking over and equipping the facility.

 

Council promises action

When contacted via telephone, the Supervisory Councilor for Health, Moris Samuel, assured our reporter that the council is making arrangements to fully take over the clinic before the end of January 2026.

“I have already informed my chairman, and he has assured me that before the end of this month, the clinic will be taken over and equipped. We will also provide the necessary manpower to man the facility,” he said.