A review of Anambra State’s 2025 approved budget by SaharaReporters has revealed a controversial allocation of N15 billion for the development of a 4-star hotel in Awka while only N195 million has been earmarked for 650 primary healthcare centres and the Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu Teaching Hospital, Amaku.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!The budget document, signed by the state’s Commissioner of Budget and Economic Planning, Mrs. Chiamaka Nnake, lists the hotel project among the top 15 capital projects for 2025. However, this prioritization raises concerns as each of the 650 primary healthcare facilities will receive a mere N300,000, representing just 1.3% of the hotel’s budget.
This disparity is particularly striking given that Anambra State recently won the Primary Healthcare Leadership Challenge Award for best-performing state in primary healthcare, earning a $1.2 million cash prize from the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency (NPHCDA) and partners, including the Aliko Dangote Foundation, UNICEF, and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
A visit to various primary healthcare centres in Awka and other communities revealed severe shortages of medical supplies, including essential drugs, syringes, and gloves. Some healthcare centres reportedly operate from single-room gatekeeper houses within churches, recreational centres, and private residences, while others are in dilapidated buildings without pharmacies, functional toilets, or labor wards.
Despite these glaring deficiencies, Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s administration has prioritized the development of a luxury hotel, sparking concerns over misplaced priorities in a state where access to basic healthcare remains a challenge.
