A report on the project by a civic tech organisation, MonITNG, revealed that the facility, meant to serve as a critical healthcare lifeline for Mawogi residents, has been overtaken by weeds and neglect.
Residents of Mawogi community in Abaji Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, have alleged the diversion of N11.9 million meant for the construction of a Primary Health Care Centre, as the facility now lies abandoned and overgrown with weeds, prompting calls for an urgent investigation into the handling of the project funds.
A report on the project by a civic tech organisation, MonITNG, revealed that the facility, meant to serve as a critical healthcare lifeline for Mawogi residents, has been overtaken by weeds and neglect.
This is despite claims that funds for its construction were fully released and all community requirements met.
According to the report, the project was implemented under the Community and Social Development Project (CSDP) framework, which empowers beneficiary communities to directly manage development projects while government agencies provide only supervision and technical guidance.
Under the framework, the project funds are not to be controlled or spent by government officials.
In line with the CSDP guidelines, the report revealed that residents of Mawogi community made significant contributions, including providing sand, wood for roofing and direct labour to support the construction of the Primary Health Care Centre.
The community also opened a dedicated project account with Nisal Microfinance Bank, Abaji Area Council, in the name of the Mawogi Community Project Management Committee to ensure transparency.
However, the report alleged that after the funds were disbursed, the Head of Department of Health, Dr. Mansur Ashafa, instructed members of the community project committee to transfer the entire project sum of ₦11,950,061 to a private company, Shamgaj Integrated Service Limited, via an Access Bank account.
Community representatives further alleged that they were threatened and pressured to sign documents approving the transfer as a condition for accessing the funds, according to the report.
Shortly after the transfer, the report noted construction was stalled, with no meaningful work carried out thereafter. The health centre, they said, remains incomplete and abandoned.
The situation has left the community without the promised health facility despite fulfilling all requirements and making personal sacrifices, raising concerns about possible abuse of office, coercion and diversion of public funds.
Reacting to the state of the facility, MonITNG called on anti-corruption agencies to intervene.
"We hereby call on the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to urgently investigate this matter,” the organisation said.
"Public funds meant for community healthcare must be accounted for. Communities should not be punished for trusting the system.
"Healthcare is a right, not a privilege. Mawogi community deserves answers, accountability, and justice.”