The Federal Capital Territory Administration has approved the immediate renovation, rehabilitation and upgrading of all 14 general hospitals in the FCT, while ordering the resumption of work on the long-abandoned Utako General Hospital.
The move is aimed at improving access to quality and affordable healthcare for residents through upgraded facilities, new medical equipment and improved diagnostic and surgical services.
The decisions were among the resolutions reached at the 19th meeting of the FCT Executive Council, presided over by the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, with the Minister of State, Mariya Mahmoud, in attendance.
Briefing journalists after the meeting, the Mandate Secretary for Health and Environmental Services, Dr Adedolapo Fasawe, said the upgrade of the 14 general hospitals would include the procurement of new medical equipment, X-ray machines and other diagnostic materials, as well as improvements to hospital theatres.
She said the FCT Minister had also directed the immediate resumption of work on the Utako General Hospital, which has remained abandoned for years.
According to Fasawe, the intervention at Utako will cover the construction, equipping and staffing of the facility, with the aim of expanding healthcare capacity in the nation’s capital.
She said the administration had also continued to meet its financial obligations to health insurance providers and Health Maintenance Organisations through the payment of premiums and capitation.
The health-sector intervention comes as part of broader efforts by the FCT Administration to strengthen public infrastructure and improve essential services for residents.
Beyond health, the council approved the digitalisation of about 67 courtrooms across the FCT High Court, introducing electronic court recording and case-management systems to replace manual documentation and physical filing.
The Education Secretariat also secured approval for contracts to provide examination materials for pupils and students in primary, junior secondary and senior secondary schools across the FCT.
In the power sector, the council approved a N5.703 billion contract for the construction of a 33KVA power supply line from Dawaki to Tukulo and surrounding communities in Bwari Area Council.
The council also ratified two completed road projects in the satellite towns — the Gaba-Tukulo Road and two-span river bridge in Bwari, and the rehabilitation of the Paikon Kore-Ibuwa Road in Gwagwalada.
In land administration, approval was granted for the procurement of utility vehicles and an integrated ICT infrastructure, as well as the printing of customised revenue receipt booklets with enhanced security features.
The Abuja Metropolitan Management Council also received approvals for projects aimed at improving maintenance of waterways and other areas affected by environmental challenges, including flooding linked to indiscriminate waste disposal.
The FCT Water Board secured approval for the supply of high-test hypochlorite for water treatment, as well as the renewal of insurance for facilities at the Lower Usman Dam Treatment Plant.
The council further approved the construction of a new divisional police station at the Wasa Informal Sector ahead of the planned relocation of mechanics and artisans to the area.
The FCT Administration said the projects formed part of its wider efforts to improve healthcare, education, justice, power, security, environmental management and other essential public services across the territory.