Ondo Community at Risk as Only Health Centre Abandoned for Over 20 Years Despite Budgetary Allocations

The disturbing condition of the facility was exposed in a post shared on X by MONITNG, which called on the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) to investigate the project.

A primary healthcare facility meant to provide essential medical services to residents of Logundu community in Ile-Oluji, Ondo State, has reportedly remained abandoned for nearly two decades despite repeated allocations of public funds for its construction and equipment.

The disturbing condition of the facility was exposed in a post shared on X by MONITNG, which called on the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) to investigate the project.

According to the organisation, the facility, which is reportedly the only primary healthcare centre serving the Logundu community, has been left in a state of neglect, with weeds taking over its premises and the building yet to become operational.

In the post, MONITNG wrote:

“BUSTED!!!

“Attn, @icpcnigeria @NphcdaN

“This is the disturbing state of the only Primary Health Care facility serving the people of Logundu, Ile-Oluji, Ondo State. A project established to provide essential healthcare has been left abandoned, with weeds taking over the premises and the building yet to serve the purpose for which public funds were allocated.”

The organisation alleged that funds had been appropriated and released for the construction and equipping of the Federal Health Centre over nearly 20 years, yet residents had continued to live without access to the healthcare services the project was designed to provide.

It raised concerns over the consequences of the prolonged abandonment, particularly for pregnant women, children and elderly residents who depend on accessible primary healthcare services.

According to MONITNG, pregnant women in the community are forced to seek medical attention elsewhere, while children and elderly residents struggle to access basic healthcare, exposing families to additional transportation costs and other risks.

The organisation said the situation raises questions about the management of public funds, project supervision and accountability, particularly at a time when the Nigerian government committed billions of naira to strengthening and renovating primary healthcare facilities across Nigeria’s 774 local government areas.

It argued that public sector corruption should not be measured only by money allegedly diverted or missing from government accounts but also by the failure of publicly funded projects to deliver essential services to communities.

“Corruption is not just about money disappearing from government accounts. It is about hospitals that cannot treat patients, communities denied essential services and preventable suffering imposed on ordinary citizens,” the post added.

MONITNG called on the ICPC, NPHCDA and other relevant authorities to investigate the funds reportedly allocated to the project, establish how the money was spent and identify government officials or contractors who may be responsible for its prolonged abandonment. 

It also called for accountability and the completion and activation of the facility to ensure residents can access basic medical services without travelling outside their community.

“The people of Logundu deserve a functioning health centre, not an abandoned building. Public funds must deliver results, and those entrusted with them must answer to the people,” the organisation said.

The organisation tagged the Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof Muhammad Ali Pate, and the Federal Ministry of Health, urging them to intervene in the matter.

However, the post did not provide details of the specific budgetary allocations, amounts released, contractors engaged or government agencies responsible for executing the project over the years.

It also remains unclear whether any official investigation has previously been conducted into the alleged abandonment.

The Nigerian government and relevant agencies are expected to clarify the status of the project and explain why a facility reportedly intended to serve the healthcare needs of Logundu residents has remained non-functional for so long.