From Maurice Okafor, Enugu.
At long last, the dilapidated and neglected Achi Joint Hospital Achi, in Oji River local government area of Enugu state will be rehabilitated so as to live up to the challenges of offering quality health care services to communities within Achi and neighbouring towns.
The member representing Aninri/Awgu/Oji River federal constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. (Engr.) Anayo Onwuegbu gave this hint when he paid an inspection visit to the hospital on Saturday, January 25, 2025, to ascertain the state of facilities in the hospital.
Addressing residents, party supporters and loyalists from both Achi Uno and Achi Agu wards who trooped out to welcome him, Hon.Onwuegbu disclosed that the budget for the reconstruction of Achi Joint hospital Achi has been approved by the Federal government and assured the rehabilitation work will start in earnest.
The project is jointly sponsored by the Senator representing Enugu West Senatorial district in the National Assembly, Senator Osita Ngwu, who is the Senate minority whip and m ember representing Aninri/Awgu/Oji River federal constituency, Engr. Anayo Onwuegbu, as captured in their constituency projects.
The federal lawmaker promised to do all his possible best in ensuring the project is completed within specified period .
He tasked the President General of Elugwu La Nkpokolo Achi, the host community, Prince Anayo Ejeagbasi to monitor the progress and quality of work on the project and keep him informed if not satisfied.
The technocrat cum politician, Hon Engr. Anayo Onwuegbu, also inspected the gully erosion site threatening Oji – Achi- Awgu road beside the gate of Achi Joint hospital.. He assured that work on the erosion site will commence next week.
He noted the complaint of damaged sumo pump of the borehole and the overhead tankl which are the major source of water supply in the hospital, tabled by one of the nurses.
One of the communities’ stakeholders popularly known as Chief Garuba, made a plea to involve some of the local contractors in the execution of the project as a means of empowerment to the rural dwellers, expecting them to reciprocate by providing security and enabling commitment that will enhance speedy execution of the project.
The community leaders who trooped out to join and witness the unscheduled inspection visit of Achi Joint Hospital by Hon. Anayo Onwuegbu, extolled him for making the dream of revitalising Achi Joint hospital realizable.
The Authority checks revealed that the lack of a standard equipped hospital has been the bane of the twelve communities in Achi and generally other towns in Oji River local government area of Enugu state in the past decades.
Hon. Onwuegbu, who usually does not blow the trumpet of his achievements promised to ensure a befitting hospital is built and equipped in his constituency.
The choice of Achi Joint Hospital by Hon. Onwuegbu stems on the historical background that it had originally served as the fulcrum of Medical services to most communities in old Awgu division or Greater Awgu, before it,s present state of disrepair and abandonment.
Attracting Federal government intervention to rehabilitate Achi Joint Hospital at the present time by Hon.Engr.Anayo Onwuegbu will solve the problem of many towns in Enugu state including nearby communities in Anambra and Abia state from traveling to Enugu metropolis to seek adequate medical services.
