REVEALED: Obinna Oriaku's Claims on Abia Healthcare Funding Debunked by State Government

The Abia State Government has refuted claims suggesting that the ongoing upgrade and retrofitting of 200 Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs) across the state are being financed by the World Bank. Government officials have reiterated that the project, known as 'Project Ekwueme,' is fully funded by the Abia State Government, dismissing any contrary assertions.

In a statement released on February 21, 2025, by the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Alex Otti, Ctz. Ukoha Njoku Ukoha, the government addressed concerns over what it described as "misleading information" regarding the healthcare initiative.

The statement responded to comments attributed to former Abia State Commissioner for Finance, Mr. Obinna Oriaku, who recently acknowledged the ongoing upgrade of 200 PHCs but allegedly claimed the project was financed by the World Bank. However, official records from the state government confirm that all funding for these healthcare centers comes directly from the Abia State Government under Project Ekwueme, with no financial contributions from external sources such as the World Bank.

Furthermore, the government clarified that Abia was among the 27 states recently selected to benefit from the World Bank Impact Project, which specifically funds the upgrading of 67 Primary Healthcare Centres in the state. This, officials say, is a separate initiative from the 200 PHCs being rehabilitated under Project Ekwueme.

Addressing the issue, Ukoha emphasized the administration's commitment to transparency and accountability in governance, highlighting that a detailed list of the 200 PHCs under Project Ekwueme had already been published. He added that details of the 67 PHCs funded under the World Bank Impact Project would be made available to the public soon.

The statement also underscored the challenges inherited by the Otti administration, particularly in the healthcare sector, which had suffered years of neglect. According to government records, over 900 PHCs across the state were in a state of disrepair, necessitating urgent intervention through Project Ekwueme.

The Abia State Government urged the public to rely on verified information from official sources and to disregard any misleading narratives that may attempt to downplay the administration's efforts to revamp the state's healthcare system.

"The government remains steadfast in its commitment to providing quality healthcare services to all Abians. Every kobo allocated to healthcare infrastructure will be accounted for, ensuring that the mistakes of the past are not repeated," Ukoha stated.

With the ongoing rehabilitation efforts, the administration assured Abians of improved access to primary healthcare services and reaffirmed its dedication to ensuring that all projects undertaken align with the broader vision of a healthier and more developed Abia State.