Egbule Samson
ALIAGWA — The deplorable state of the Aliagwa Community Health Centre—recently renovated by a private citizen and candidate for the Ika South House of Assembly, Mrs. Ogor Tony-Obuh—has drawn sharp criticism from residents, who view the situation as a glaring sign of government failure.
Reports indicate that the health facility had been left dilapidated for nearly three years without any intervention from local or state authorities.
According to community sources, local elders previously sent formal written requests to the Local Government Chairman seeking urgent intervention, but their appeals fell on deaf ears.
Speaking under the condition of anonymity, several community leaders revealed that funds had previously been allocated for the facility’s renovation through DESOPADEC (Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission), as part of their responsibilities for communities
They noted with irony that a former commissioner of the agency, who failed to address the neglected facility during her tenure, should not return to the community to solicit votes.
Sources pinpointed Hon. Cordelia Anyangwu, the former DESOPADEC commissioner, as having had the responsibility to oversee the facility’s restoration.
“DESOPADEC’s core mandate includes bridging development gaps and ensuring oil-producing communities in Ika land benefit directly from the 13% derivation fund,” a community leader noted.
An investigative finding further alleged that portions of the funds earmarked for public projects during Hon. Anyangwu’s tenure was instead diverted to service political godfathers who facilitated her appointment.
Reacting to the development, Mr. Patrick Irabo, an Aliagwa indigene residing in the diaspora, expressed deep frustration over the neglect.
He stated that it was unacceptable for both the Local Government Council and DESOPADEC to abandon the facility despite managing billion-naira budgets.
“It was utterly shameful for a primary health centre to have such a leaking roof that nurses had to hold umbrellas over pregnant women during childbirth,” Mr. Irabo said.
“Neither the Local Government Chairman nor the former DESOPADEC Commissioner has any valid excuse for leaving the facility in such a state.”
