FCTA Approves Completion of Utako Hospital, Renovation of 14 General Hospitals

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has approved the completion of the abandoned Utako General Hospital, the renovation and re-equipping of 14 existing general hospitals, and the construction of a new divisional police station at the Wasa Informal Sector.

The approvals were given on Tuesday at the 19th FCT Executive Council meeting, presided over by the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike.

Mandate Secretary of the FCT Health Services and Environment Secretariat, Dr Adedolapo Fasawe, disclosed the health-related decisions while briefing journalists after the meeting.

Fasawe said the council approved the immediate renovation, rehabilitation and upgrading of the general hospitals across the territory.

“Today at the Executive Council, there were a lot of deliberations, and there was a particular deliberation on the health system. I am happy to say that the Minister has ordered the immediate award of renovation, rehabilitation and upgrading of all the general hospitals in the FCT,” she said.

According to her, the intervention will involve comprehensive improvements to hospital infrastructure and the provision of modern medical equipment.

She listed some of the equipment to be procured as advanced diagnostic machines, X-ray equipment and surgical instruments for operating theatres.

Utako General Hospital

On the abandoned Utako General Hospital, Fasawe said Wike had directed the immediate resumption of work on the project.

She said the facility would be completed, fully equipped and staffed with the necessary medical personnel before being opened for operations.

Fasawe also disclosed that the FCTA had continued to fulfil its financial obligations to Health Maintenance Organisations (HMOs) by paying premiums and capitation under the FCT’s health insurance scheme.

“What then happens now is that when the hospitals are upgraded, the equipment are there, and the personnel are there, then quality, affordable and accessible healthcare will be available for the people of the FCT,” she said.

FCTA Approves Police Station at Wasa

The Executive Council also approved the construction of a new divisional police station at the Wasa Informal Sector ahead of the planned relocation of mechanics and artisans from Apo.

Director of the FCTA Security Services Department, Adamu Gwari, said a memo was presented to the council seeking approval for the immediate provision of security infrastructure at the site.

He said the project was a new contract with a six-month completion period.

According to Gwari, the decision followed a directive issued by Wike in July when he commissioned the initial infrastructure at the Wasa site and raised concerns about security ahead of the expected influx of artisans and commercial activities.

“The minister directed that there should be a police station that will provide security not only for the sector, but for the entire area.

“This contract is a fresh contract which has been duly approved by the EXCO with a duration of a six-month delivery period,” he said.

Gwari said the project formed part of the administration’s wider security initiative launched in December to bring policing closer to rural and developing communities across the FCT.

Under the initiative, the administration plans to construct two divisional police offices in each of the territory’s six Area Councils.

He said construction work at several locations was already at an advanced stage, assuring residents that the administration remained committed to improving security infrastructure across the territory.

Gwari added that Wike was expected to inspect some of the completed facilities in the coming days.

“At the moment, Public Building has taken delivery of two fully completed police divisions: the one at Ushafa and the other one at Saburi,” he said.

He explained that each of the facilities comprised a fully furnished divisional police station and a furnished six-man staff quarters.