In our pursuit for accountability and transparency in governance especially in marginalized communities, the data mining team found on a tender that the Akwa Ibom State Ministry of Health has called for bids on the construction of perimeter fence and provision of a mini water scheme at the Public Health Centre in Ikot Idem Udo, Onna LGA. The community has an estimated population of about 8000. The Centre urgently needs more beds (they have only two), delivery cart, trolley, and other delivery equipment as they do not take deliveries at the Centre because of the absence of these.  Their challenges are seemingly endless as another major issue is that of electricity and lack of water supply. The former hinders the facility from working at night.

We have initiated the #BuildIkotIdeUdo campaign to track the implementation of the project in Onna Local Government Area. Through this campaign, we call on all concerned stakeholders especially the Akwa Ibom State Ministry of Health to uphold public interest through being accountable and transparent in the usage of the funds already released for this project.

We implore the public to get on board with us in following this money to ensure that projects appropriated at the PHC will be completed efficiently by joining us on www.ifollowthemoney.org

 

Freedom of Information Request Sent to Akwa Ibom State Ministry of Health

3 April 2018: We sent an FOI request to the Akwa Ibom State Ministry of Health through the SOML PforR department asking for the name of the contractor, actual project amount and implementation timeline for the project.

Find it here.

Follow the Money Team Held a Meeting With The Akwa Ibom State SOML PforR Department Lead

12 March 2018: The team was at Uyo for an information sharing meeting with the Akwa Ibom State SOML PforR Department Lead, Dr. Iboroh Udoh and the Director of Planning and Statistics Department. Major outcomes from the meeting were that the contracting for the SOML projects in the state including that of Ikot Idem Udo has been concluded and waiting assent by the commissioner of health. The departments also promised to share the post bid’s evaluation details with FTM.

Youth Leader Calls for Urgent Government Intervention 

27 February 2018: The youth leader, in an interview with the team, highlighted that the facility is the only facility which serves about three villages. He stated that most of the pregnant women refuse to visit the PHC for antenatal care or delivery. In his words, …”  I plead with the government to speedily resume work on the project as perimeter fencing for the PHC is really important for security. A facility like this should be provided with a generator for light. We need what we have been seeing in Uyo hospitals as most of our pregnant women lose their lives on their way there. We also need more health personnel once the facility is renovated.”

The Clinic Officer In Charge Claimed Seeming Endless Challenges 

27 February 2018: Speaking with the Officer in Charge of the PHC, Mrs. Essienanwan Akpan, she informs that the center urgently needs: more beds (they have only two), delivery cart, trolley, and other delivery equipment as they do not take deliveries at the center because of the absence of these. According to her, their challenges are seemingly endless.

Women Leader Decry the State of the Medical Facilities 

FTM member addressing community stakeholders

27 February 2018: Speaking with Mrs. Eno Akpabio, the women leader of the community, she bemoaned about the state of the PHC, as pregnant women do visit Uyo or EKet rather than coming to the PHC. She stated that when the pregnant women come to the clinic, they do not see drugs.

Follow the Money Team Went for Community Outreach 

FTM with Etedieung Egnr. Imoh G. Isong

27 February 2018: Our team conducted an outreach to the community, which is headed by Etedieung Egnr. Imoh G. Isong, who was utterly surprised to learn about the project. While implementation of the project had not started, the Etedieung lamented about the state of things at the health center. He said because he is constantly in touch with the Officer in Charge of the facility, he is aware of a lot of things going wrong there. He emphasized on the lack of water at the Centre, and further enlightened that sometimes, the staff resort to buying sachet water to serve the Centre. There is no toilet and this leads the women to go to the bush.

Find the report here.

Akwa Ibom State SOML Hands Over Project Site to the Contractor

            Akwa Ibom State Soml team with Ikot Idem Udo village head

23/08/2018: The influential members of Ikot Idem Udo community of Onna Local Government Area, of Akwa Ibom State came out en masse to witness the handing over of the site for the water project to the contractor by the State Ministry of Health, the contract was awarded to his company, Genestor Nig. Ltd. The Village Head and the Chairman Council of Executives, who received them were excited and affirmed their utmost cooperation while executing the water project.

Community Excited about the Completed  Project.

                   Completed Mini Water

18/09/2018: Putting a call across the community to ascertain the level of project implementation, It was gathered that the SOML team from the state who officially kicked off the project in March has completed the construction of the mini water scheme at the PHC. The community youth leader, Essien Thomas stated that members of the community are elated about the progress made. He also informed FTM that while the borehole has been completed, they are yet to use it as they await the official handover from the government.