By Daniel Tyokua
Anger is raging in Karu, FCT outskirt as some Indigenous leaders accuse the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) authorities led by Abdullahi Candido of allegedly distorting the original development plans at the Primary Healthcare Centre (PHC).
The leaders in a letter they wrote to the minister of FCT, Malam Muhammad Bello, alleged that the ongoing construction of shops, meant for commercial purposes within the premises of the PHC as approved by the Council Chairman, was not only an infractions, but an executive error that will adversely affect public interest.
They decried the development of commercial shops and called for building and expanding of the already over stretched health facility, saying the decision was detrimental to the health and safety of Karu indigent people.
In the letter, the community heads alleged that the Chairman disregarded the community’s concerns and continued with the illegal project , because he was bent on sacrificing public interest, to satisfy the desires of few of his political associates .
The letter signed by Shekwaga Ayinsa, James Babe, Esq, Samuel Aye, Sunday Karu and Samson Zhokwo, alleged that the PHC commissioned in 1994, had been begging for renovation and possibly expansion, due to the ever growing population in the community.
It reads in parts: “We the undersigned members of Karu Community within the Abuja Municipal Area Councils (AMAC) write to complain against the ongoing construction of shops by AMAC, within the premises of Karu Primary Healthcare Centre (PHC), a public facility that is meant to cater for the health needs of the community members and the general public.
“We kindly write to your office to demand for an immediate investigation and cancellation of the said project. Moreso, that this project is not in line with the primary purpose of establishment of the Karu PHC”.
While they called on the Minister to urgently order the immediate halt of the on going construction , they noted that facilities at Centre should be upgraded to meet the needs of the people and present realities in the health sector.
Reacting to the development, Head, Department of Works, AMAC, Arch. Gaza Andrew, debunked claims that the shops were for commercial purposes.
He said the project was rather a completion and upgrade of over 10 years abandoned Sickle Cell, public convenience with pharmacy shop within the premises of the PHC.
