Reps Committee Lauds Abia Gov Otti’s Strides in Healthcare Delivery
Members of the House of Representatives Committee on Healthcare Services have commended Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, for what they described as unprecedented achievements in the state’s healthcare sector and other critical areas of development.
The commendation was given on Tuesday during a working visit by members of the committee to the governor at his office in Umuahia, as part of their oversight functions in the state.
Speaking during the visit, Chairman of the House Committee on Healthcare Services, Dr Amos Magaji, said the purpose of the tour was to assess the implementation of the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund (BHCPF) in Abia State and across the country.
“We are here because of the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund. As we stand here, we have been to over 30 states in Nigeria, going around to ensure that the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund works,” Magaji said.
He disclosed that there had been growing calls for the BHCPF allocation to be increased from one per cent to two per cent of the Consolidated Revenue Fund, noting that lawmakers considered it necessary to first evaluate how effectively the fund was being utilised by states.
“There was high demand that the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund should move from one per cent consolidated revenue fund to two per cent. And we decided that if that were the case, we want to know whether it is working or not,” he added.
According to the committee chairman, findings from the Abia visit showed that the state’s progress extended beyond healthcare, encompassing sectors that directly strengthen health outcomes.
“What we have seen in the state, not just in the healthcare sector, but in other sectors that strengthen healthcare, is commendable,” Magaji said.
He specifically highlighted the Geometric Power project in Aba, describing it as a major initiative capable of transforming Abia State and Nigeria into an industrial hub.
“The Geometric Power in Aba is another thing that will turn this country, not just Abia State, into an industrial hub,” he noted.
Magaji further praised Governor Otti for changing the narrative of Abia State, stating that his administration’s impact was evident across healthcare, sanitation, road infrastructure and power.
“Since we came here, it has been one story of success to another. As we went around, the town is very clean. For many years, Abia State was known as one of the dirtiest states in Nigeria,” he said.
Drawing a biblical analogy, the lawmaker likened Abia’s transformation to the account of the Queen of Sheba’s visit to King Solomon.
“When I looked at the transformation that has happened, a scripture dropped in my heart First Kings chapter 10. The Queen of Sheba heard about the excellence of King Solomon and came to see for herself. She said that half of what she heard was not up to what she saw with her eyes,” Magaji said.
“Your Excellency, this is exactly what we have seen here.”
He described Abia as one of the emerging success stories in the country, citing projects such as Project Ekwueme as evidence of purposeful governance.
While expressing concern over Nigeria’s high maternal mortality rate, which he said currently stands at over 1,000 deaths per 100,000 births, Magaji commended the Abia State Government for prioritising healthcare delivery.
He noted that maternal mortality in Abia State had significantly reduced over the past decade, attributing the improvement to deliberate investments in primary healthcare, improved facilities and better health management systems.
The committee assured the state government of continued legislative support to strengthen healthcare financing and delivery across the country.
