Photo: Back view of the Old Omoku Zonal Hospital Located at the Front of the Abandoned Project, Helen Okechukwu
Helen Okechukwu, a freelance journalist from Nigeria Grassrootnews, delves into the present state of the Zonal Referral Hospital and questions why it has been left abandoned for over a year since contractors vacated the site. She explores the impact of this abandonment on patients and residents of Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government (ONELGA), who relied on the hospital.
A hospital’s project contract abandoned
Our reporter embarked on a long trip to Omoku Zonal Hospital, more commonly known as Omoku General Hospital, situated in Omoku’s main town. It was a journey filled with mixed emotions. As she sought to investigate the incomplete state of the hospital and how patients have been forced to live with dire consequences of the current state of the hospital
Photo: Omoku Zonal Hospital displayed along Omoku-Egbema road, Helen Okechukwu
According to accounts from residents, the construction of the new Omoku Zonal Hospital building had been abandoned for years by the previous Rivers State government’s tenure. The residents also expressed their grievances about the hospital’s current condition. Their only wish is that the present state governor will remember and revitalize the hospital, A project that has become an indispensable medical services as well as treasured asset for the people of ONELGA,
The Omoku Zonal Hospital once played a pivotal role in saving lives, particularly for patients with critical conditions in the region. Sadly, the number of patients seeking healthcare at the hospital have reduced significantly over the years. Many patients no longer frequent the hospital; instead, they have turned to private healthcare facilities and other primary health centres within the local government area. These in most cases hardly adequately meet medical service need of the patients
In contrast, to Omoku Zonal Hospital contract which had remained in an unfinished state, casting a shadow of unfulfilled promises over the community, reports indicate that some other Zonal hospitals, which were part of hospital contracts awarded at the same time have been completed and are ready for equipment installation
Chronicle of the Contract awarded over time
Reviewing the 2020 Budget released on January 30th, 2020, it is evident that an allocation of N 38,900,000,000 billion was designated for the Rivers State Ministry of Health to fund various ongoing construction projects within the state. Notably, one of these projects was the Omoku Zonal Hospital. However, despite this financial provision, the hospital remains incomplete and has been abandoned.
In stark contrast to the budgetary allocation mentioned in the Rivers State budget report, the other three regional hospitals are making significant progress and have reached advanced stages of construction. Interestingly, the Omoku Zonal Referral Hospital in the Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area is listed among the regional hospitals that are well underway.
Examining the Rivers State budget for 2021, it is revealed that a sum of N 27,490,370,683.00 billion was allocated for the completion of all four Zonal referral hospitals in Rivers State. This discrepancy raises questions about why the Omoku Zonal Referral Hospital, which was one of the Zonal hospitals slated for construction and received approved funds, remains unfinished.
The contract for the Omoku Zonal Referral Hospital was awarded to a company named Rivbeach Global Limited by the Government of Rivers State, Ministry of Health, under the leadership of the former Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike.
This company appears to be active and compliant with procurement laws, as evidenced in its presence on the CAC and b2bhint platforms.
Photo: Rivbeach Global Limited shows active on CAC website, Helen Okechukwu
Close to the entrance of the Omoku Zonal Referral Hospital, a faded signboard visibly displayed the contractor’s name and address. This affirmed that the contractor was appointed by the Government of Rivers State, Ministry of Health. However, no contact telephone number for the contractor was visible on the faded signboard.
Photo: The name of the contractor with consultants are visibly shown on the faded signboard awarded by the Government of Rivers State, Ministry of Health, Helen Okechukwu
Reporter’s Visit Omoku Zonal Referral Hospital
Our reporter visited the Omoku Zonal Hospital for a few hours. On Wednesday, September 6, 2023, this brought our reporter face-to-face with the abandoned and dilapidated state of the old building that was visibly used for treating sick patients.
Our reporter saw a hospital whose whole structures were covered with grass; one could barely see the only building that is still functioning. At the entrance of the hospital, the security house looks like a hideout for criminals. The painting has worn off and the building is left with broken old-model security doors and windows. The security post had lost its shape.
Photo: The dilapidated Security house with broken doors and GMP glass, Helen Okechukwu
Needless to say, the hospital is a sorry state, yet patients in and around the local government have no option. Daily, the hospital has quite a number of patients seeking medical help. On the day of our visit, many patients sat outside along the passage of what can be called a waiting room in an anticipated hope of being attended to by the doctor in charge
Photo: The current view of the Old Omoku Zonal building where the matrons, maternity rooms and other offices are located, Helen Okechukwu
It was observed by our reporter that a new building was erected adjacent to the dilapidated old structure for support. She was told that the new building was constructed by AGIP, one of the oil companies that operates in ONELGA. It was also disclosed that the old building contains maternity rooms for delivery, a lab, and offices, where the maternity office is located,. Some rooms in the old structure were seen with packed files of sick patients. The new building has only one male, female, and child rooms each and a doctor’s office.
Upon further inspection of the premises, our reporter saw the abandoned three-story Omoku Zonal building left with some building materials, which is located at the back of the dilapidated hospital. The three-story building was covered with thick grass, and it could only take a determined person to risk going closer to the building. This is despite the fact patients are to seek medical attention here.
Photo: Abandoned three-story Omoku Zonal Hospital, Helen Okechukwu
Moving closer to the abandoned project, a stack of inter-logs was properly arranged, and a small portion of the building was inter-logged, leaving traces of protruding grasses in-between the mounted inter-locks.
Photo: Stacks of properly arranged Inter-locked abandoned, Helen Okechukwu
Photo: The Traces of Grass Protruding in-between the Inter-log
The whole environment of the dilapidated Omoku Zonal Hospital is in a sorry state. The danger of dangerous reptiles’ attack is palpable. There were no identified security personnel who can protect out-patients’ patients as well a handful number who were on admission in the hospital.
The roof of the old building was in bad shape; some parts were patched while some portions of the ceiling had already fallen apart.
Photo: Visibly Falling ceiling, Helen Okechukwu
The Omoku Zonal Hospital reflects a severe infrastructure inadequacy, and there appears to be no immediate relief on the horizon, Local residents persist in expressing their worries about the poor condition of the Zonal Hospital and its capacity to operate as a Zonal Referral Hospital.
Before leaving Omoku Zonal Hospital, however, our reports saw only a few patients waiting for the resident doctor to attend to them.
Omoku community residents attempt to salvage the situation
“It was awarded in 2018,”, the Community Development Chairman, Emeka Ogbowu, acknowledged in a phone call interview with our reporter. The construction of the Zonal Hospital project was halted in 2022, he said. “It was abandoned in the early part of 2022.
“The General Hospital (Omoku Zonal Hospital) has been in need of rehabilitation despite appealed communications, by the residents, to the Rivers State Health Government concerning the poor condition of the hospital, The plea to reactivate and finish the abandoned hospital had fallen on deaf ears. “The exact amount for the project was not revealed by the contractor.
Speaking further, Emeka said, “Despite attempts to appeal to the contractor, the contractor has been away from the construction site for a year, and nothing is ongoing on the site. We have made inquiries about the halted construction. The contractor has not given us a clear picture of why he was disengaged from the site”. The only rumour we heard was that the project was abandoned because the previous governor-Nyesome Wike stopped further payment which could empower them to continue.
Residents cry out over the abandoned Omoku Zonal Referral Hospital
A source who works in the hospital spoke to our reporter, named Cleo-not real named because of security reasons) expressed her discomfort, pointing at the environment filled with thick elephant grasses. The individual said while looking away, speaking in Ogba language, which was translated into English, “You have seen what this place looks like”. One could tell how unhappy the individual was while speaking with this reporter.
“I am not happy with the condition of this place, I am an indigene of Omoku, ” this source said, “This is my place (town). The source further expressed displeasure with how the hospital is grossly understaffed. We have no experienced doctor with practically required numbers of nurses on ground, One nurse often runs 24 hour shifts for a week here”.Even key clerical and administrative staff are not available. This accounts for while the environment is unkept. The hospital only has an elderly casual worker who is in charge of cutting and clearing the bushes
However, during emergencies, the source noted that “If an accident victims are brought in, the chances of survival are rare because of inadequate staff and facilities. This is despite the recent supply of some good equipment presented to the hospital by AGIP, one of the oil companies that operates in the local government.
There is also only one male, female and children wards here, Beds in the wards were donated by AGIP . This other building you are seeing was built by AGIP, but within the facilities there are no medical personnel.
Unfortunately, because of lack of security, criminals came in and stole some materials meant for the project and made away with some materials. In many cases, I had to support the casual worker in ensuring the environment is kept clean. The individual pointed at a portion cleared.
“Criminals come from outside to steal some of the building materials that were kept for the construction of the Zonal Hospital project. This is very bad. This is the only land that we have now in Omoku. There is always light.
Challenges faced by the few Omoku Hospital staff
Our source also maintained “The lack of required medical capacity in the hospital continues to pose greater challenges. We had written to Rivers State Health Ministry with no result””
The source also disclosed to our reporter with a claim that the last picture that was taken by the management staff and worker of the Omoku Zonal Hospital, which was supposed to be sent to the Ministry of Health, was taken at the old structure that has been existing for decades in the bid to show that the hospital needs rehabilitation.
According to the source, who claimed that the current resident doctor suggested that the picture should be taken from the old structure despite the construction of the newly built quarter by AGIP, so that the Rivers State Ministry of Health will be more aware of the poor condition of the hospital.
Our source appeals that the government should lend a helping hand by employing more qualified medical personnel who will work in the hospital. While speaking in Pidgin Language, “If the cry wey we dey cry, go reach them, for them to employ nurses and doctors, at least two or three doctors are supposed to dey for ground here. When the patient wey dey outside, see say two or three doctors don dey, they go begin dey come. They are supposed to have a lot of staff,” the source said.
A resident who hails from Omoku town, when contacted via Facebook, Ordu Chukwuemeka, lamented over the poor condition of the Omoku Zonal Referral Hospital and how important it is to the people of ONELGA over the effect of inhaling harmful gas flaring. “I want the Rivers State Government to come to our aid because that hospital is the only hope we have to mitigate the effect of the harmful gas flaring catastrophe our people have been inhaling everyday for four decades now.
However, he claimed that the life expectancy of the people of ONELGA has drastically decreased because of the activities of these multinationals. Our people are dying mysteriously every day because of various diseases, and our only hope is the general hospital (Zonal Referral Hospital).
He further claimed that the hospital is understaffed due to its dilapidated state. The completion will bring employment, which will be beneficial to the youth. Ordu said, “There are no staff left there because the whole place is dilapidated, and if the hospital is completed, it will help to employ our youths and make them meaningful”.
Ifeoma Ndu, a patient, expressed how disappointed she was over her medical case when she visited the hospital: “I was referred to another hospital.” She looked away while heading out of the hospital, in an angry state.
However, another resident, passing along the expressway led to the Zonal Hospital with a surprised look “Does that hospital function”, Ifeoma said.
Speaking with our reporter was the youth president of Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government (ONELGA), Chinedu Uyeige, via a phone call. He expressed dissatisfaction with the current state of the Zonal Referral Hospital. He also disclosed that the youth have not made any requests as of the time of writing this report, but they are waiting to make a collective decision with the three tiers of government that make up the local government.
A source who would not disclose his identity claimed that one of the lifts meant for the three-story building was stolen from the abandoned building on September 30, 2023, by some group of criminals.
The resident doctor at the Zonal hospital who refused to disclose his name declined to speak with our reporter after our reporter identified herself as a journalist, claiming that he could only speak to our reporter on the grounds of receiving an authorisation letter from the Ministry of Health.
“You know the structure of the facility. We are employed by the Rivers State Hospital Management Board; that is where our headquarters are located. We are not permitted to grant interviews with journalists. So if you mean to do such a thing, you have to start with them; that is our headquarters. Let them know that before you come, they will communicate with us that these people are coming. Please attend to them.
“Without that authorization, I don’t have the power to grant an interview. It is a government facility. That is how we communicate”. The resident doctor said
Reporters Visit to RIVBEACH GLOBAL LIMITED OFFICE
RIvbeach Global Limited, which gave his office address as No. 14 Khana Street, D/Line, Rivers State, as seen on the faded signboard, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, and legal documents obtained from an online website, had no physical presence when our reporter visited the location.
Also When this reporter visited the above-mentioned address, she was told by the current occupant’s front desk attendant that letters addressed to Rivbeach Global Limited had been received by them countless times.
Further investigation revealed the name of the Managing Director and CEO of Rivbeach Global Limited as Chief Oris Uchendu Oyiri in a legal document, and all efforts to get across to his company proved abortive.
Photo: Document obtained from endole website showing the name of Rivbeach Global Limited Managing Director
However, another search reveals that the details of the awarded contract for the Omoku Zonal Referral Hospital were not found on the Rivers State Bureau’s public procurement website.
A search that was gathered by our reporter stated that the contract was terminated by the previous Rivers State governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, due to delays and was letter assured that before he leaves office, the project will be re-awarded to serious contractors for execution.
Since then, the people of Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area (ONELGA) have been optimistic and believe that the current governor, Siminalayi Fubara, will call workers to the site by re-awarding the project to a contractor for the betterment of the entire communities that make up ONELGA.
Rivers State Ministry of Health carefree attitude
An email address was sent to the Rivers State Ministry of Health using the email address provided on their website, this reporter has been waiting for a response.
Comment from the Rivers State Bureau on Public Procurement
Our reporter called the number displayed on the Rivers State Bureau on Public Procurement. One of the numbers was not available while the other rang but there was no response.
Still, our reporter contacted Ayeowueke Soye Opuiyo, the manager and Public Affairs to Rivers State Bureau on Public Procurement on 6th October who responded to the halted Omoku Zonal Hospital, as she said; “I am not the right person to call, I am not at the office, I don’t know how to help you”.
However, during the subsequent week, determined efforts were made to obtain responses from the Rivers State Ministry of Health, the Bureau of Public Procurement, and the contractor regarding the specifics of the contracts and payments. Despite numerous attempts, which included repeated phone calls, as well as follow-up messages through SMS and email from our reporter, no responses were received up to the point when this report was published.
Nevertheless, no responses have been received from the contractors involved or the pertinent officials from both the Ministry of Health and the Bureau of Public Procurement regarding the queries.
At the moment of writing this report, we continue to wait with the expectation that they will eventually provide official information to clear understanding on the unknown reason on why the project was halted
