By joshua CPI Advocacy: Kogi Govt Assures Ganaja Community of Support For PHC Centre, Flood Resilience, IDP Welfare
The Kogi State Government has pledged to strengthen health and social interventions in Ganaja Community, with renewed commitment to the provision of a Primary Health Care Centre, potable water, and improved welfare for Internally Displaced Persons, IDPs.
Mr. Enoch Maji, Permanent Secretary, Kogi State Ministry of Health, who represented the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Abdulaziz Adams Adeiza, gave the assurance during a visit by a working group to the Ministry of Health office in Lokoja.
“The administration of Governor Usman Ahmed Ododo will not shirk in its health responsibilities to the citizens of the State,” Maji said.
He noted that the State Government has already made several interventions in Ganaja Community, including the establishment of a Primary Health Care Centre at Wada Road junction, among other health accomplishments.
He solicited the community’s cooperation and urged residents to support government efforts. “Whatever is due to Ganaja Community will not elude them,” he assured.
Earlier, Eunice Abimbola Agbogun, Executive Director of Challenge Parenthood Initiative, CPI, said a Primary Health Care Centre will provide Ganaja Community with access to essential health services, including preventive, curative, and promotional services.
She said the visit was a follow-up to an earlier advocacy and consultative meeting held in February. According to her, the “Ganaja Charter of Demand” is a product of consultation with the community by Challenge Parenthood Initiative with support from Heinrich Böll Stiftung.
Agbogun identified priority areas to include intervention in Primary Health Care, potable water, and the well-being of Internally Displaced Persons to be located at the camp. She also highlighted the flood resilience needs of the Ganaja Community.
Community representatives, Blessed Ibeiillo and Abdulkadir Umar, commended the State Government for the PHC at Wada Road junction.
They, however, called for the establishment of more schools, noting that the only primary school in the area is usually flooded during the rainy season.
Dr. Bola Kelvin, State SWAP Officer; Mr. Johnson Aiyedogbo; Dr. Olusegun Banabas, Director of Medical Services; and Dr. Johnson Ojotule of the State Ministry of Health, assured the delegation of government support.
They urged partnership with the Ganaja Community to enable the requests presented to be addressed quickly.