Abia State Government has expressed satisfaction with the rapid pace of construction work at the Abia State Specialist Hospital, Umunnato, Alayi, in Bende Local Government Area, barely three weeks after the project was flagged off by Governor Alex Otti.
Commissioner for Health, Professor Enoch Uche, made the observation during an unscheduled inspection visit to the project site on Thursday.
The hospital project, one of three specialist healthcare facilities currently being developed by the state government, was officially flagged off by Governor Otti on 28 May 2026 as part of activities marking the third anniversary of his administration.
The current intervention forms part of the Otti led administration’s healthcare reform agenda aimed at rebuilding critical public infrastructure, expanding access to modern medical facilities and strengthening healthcare delivery across the state.
Speaking to journalists during the inspection, Prof. Uche said he was impressed by the progress made within just 21 days of the project’s commencement.
The Commissioner noted that the level of work already achieved is remarkable and evidence of the Otti led administration’s commitment to transforming healthcare delivery across the state.
The commissioner explained that the visit was not originally planned, noting that the inspection followed the functionalisation of two Primary Health Centres in Bende Local Government Area.
“This is an unscheduled visit. We went to functionalise PHCs. We started with Amaegbuato, Nkpa, and then went to Amaokwe Item. On our way back to Umuahia, we decided to have a brief stop here to really see what is going on.
“I mean, I’m surprised, I’m sure you’re also surprised. This place, the Abia State Specialist Hospital, Umunnato, Alayi, Bende LGA, was flagged off by His Excellency during the third anniversary ceremony on the 28th of May, 2026. This is 18th of June, so precisely 21 days after that, you can see the extent of work already done.
“I didn’t expect what I’ve seen here. You can see the number of workers. You can see the extent of work that is going on. It shows you that this contractor means business.
“You can see that within just a short space of time, we have already made appreciable milestones. So I’m delighted with the speed of work”, he stated.
According to Prof Uche, the contractor had been mobilised by the state government to deliver the project within 12 months but had indicated an intention to complete the facility within nine months.
“With the speed of work going on in this place, one can actually see that he will meet that target in nine months”, the Health Commissioner added.
He noted that the Umunnato facility is the newest among the three specialist hospitals currently under construction in the state, adding that work at the Abia State University Teaching Hospital (ABSUTH) and Amachara General Hospital have reached more advanced stages.
“Of course, this place is an ultra-modern specialist hospital, one of the three that are ongoing at the same time. This is actually the one that we started recently.
“The others, ABSUTH and Amachara General Hospital, have gone to very advanced stages of completion. Amachara is already at roof level”, he disclosed.
Prof. Uche also commended the level of supervision at the project site, revealing that officials from the Project Implementation Bureau were actively monitoring the construction process to ensure compliance with approved specifications and standards.
“When we came here, we saw PIB staff, meaning that there’s a whole lot of supervision going on to ensure that those high standards that His Excellency has mandated the Ministry of Health to achieve will be met”, he said.
The commissioner assured that Governor Otti would be briefed on the progress recorded and expressed confidence that residents of the state would appreciate the visible transformation taking place in the healthcare sector.
“I know that Ndi Abia will be glad to see that this is not nebulous. It’s not a mirage. This is happening in real time. It is not photoshopped or manipulated in any way.
“This is real. It’s not AI-enabled, AI-manipulated or AI-developed. This is real time. Real people doing real work, achieving real results for a real state,” he stated.
Prof. Uche further lauded Governor Otti for prioritising healthcare through investments in infrastructure, manpower development and welfare for health workers.
“We want to thank His Excellency, who has prioritised the healthcare of Ndi Abia by ensuring that not only do we have the best facilities being put in place, but we also have medical expertise in the form of skilled manpower recruited, while other aspects of welfare of health workers are being addressed.
“This is the best time to be an Abian, and we can only begin to imagine what the healthcare system will be like when all these facilities are fully completed, equipped and functionalised”, he added.
