Akin Alabi, the lawmaker representing Egbeda/Ona-Ara constituency of Oyo State in the House of Representatives has won respite from angry Nigerians after initially coming under strong criticisms for supposedly showing off a small building as a Primary Healthcare Centre as his constituency project.
Many twitter users were peeved were far from impressed as some likened him to popular actor and lawmaker, Desmond Elliot, who according to some observers doesn’t construct any credible projects.
“Two consultants and one contractor on top this shed? Kai! SMH!!!!”, wrote @tracer_watching.
@LANREWAJU_ wrote: “You mean in the whole of Oyo State, there is no consultants and contractors that could have done that project, they all had to come from Abuja. Interesting!”@Ogbeni_Peter wrote: “Make he kuku convert the building to Nairabet shop. Since we are being unserious.”
@Ezxmuoh wrote: “Oga Nairabet expected praise after putting up that picture? Because I don’t understand what he was thinking by posting it.”
However, the lawmaker didn’t just receive knocks, some Twitter users also praised his effort.
@Edward_Onoriode rote: “This is a PRIMARY HEALTHCARE CENTRE not a SECONDARY HEALTHCARE or TEACHING HOSPITAL. Primary healthcare is meant to give first aid to injured victims, give immunizations, take delivery of pregnant women but not complex cases. Most Primary healthcare in Nigeria are like this.”
However, following the bashing, the lawmaker responded bringing respite to many with several lauding him for his sense of accountability.
View his response:
I woke up to a lot of flak over the pictures of the primary health center I facilitated its renovation at Ajiwogbo village, Ibadan. During my campaign, I visited the dilapidated health center. The villagers asked me to help them with the renovation. I promised I would.#threadhttps://t.co/99TGQNdAXP
When I got into office, I started working on it. I went to National Health Care Development Agency to come to our aid. Eventually, I brought them down to the place for inspection. After a lot of back and forth and travelling, I was able to facilitate the renovation.
Some are asking why was the contract given to an Abuja contractor. The answer is I HAD NO SAY. That question has to go to National Health Care Development Agency. I do not award contracts. Lawmakers do not award contracts. I have never met this contractor. I don't plan to.
About those saying the place is too small. Good question. Well, it is a small health center in a small village that was rehabilitated. The place gets like FIVE PATIENTS A DAY. I am not sure there is any sense expanding it. I don’t even have the powers to have it expanded. NONE.
About entry for wheelchairs and other specifics needed to make the place better, I will write a letter to the agency to ensure that the contractor puts them there. I do not want to have anything to do with the contractor directly. Thanks for pointing those out.
What played out here is very simple. A health center has been in existence for 20 years. The villagers wanted their “little hospital" renovated. The condition was bad for the doctors and nurses there. I pulled all stops to bring the agency that can do it. The work was done.
In the original post, it wasn’t like I boasted that this was massive or an “ultra modern” or a world class facility. I helped connect the village and the agency, worked hard to make sure it happened. The entire details are in the pictures. No bragging. I don’t understand the vex.
Great and well done! You are the facilitator of the project, not the sponsor. I think it's misleading to have your name as SPONSOR on the project board.
