The Akwa Ibom State Governor has openly faulted a contractor handling a state-owned hospital project for prioritising the construction of a mortuary ahead of core healthcare facilities, describing the decision as misguided, insensitive, and contrary to the purpose of public healthcare infrastructure.
The governor raised the concern during an on-the-spot inspection of the hospital project, where he observed that the mortuary section was already nearing completion while essential components such as patient wards, diagnostic units, emergency rooms, and outpatient facilities were either unattended to or lagging significantly behind schedule.
Visibly displeased by what he described as a misplaced priority, the governor questioned the rationale behind commencing the project with a mortuary, stressing that hospitals are fundamentally meant to save lives, not to symbolise death.
“Why should a mortuary be the first thing you build in a hospital meant to save lives?” the governor reportedly asked during the inspection. “The message this sends is completely wrong. A hospital should first be about healing, treatment, and hope, not about death.”
According to him, while mortuaries are a necessary component of modern hospitals, they should not take precedence over facilities that provide immediate care, diagnosis, and emergency response, especially in a state where access to quality healthcare remains a critical concern.
The governor reminded the contractor that the hospital project was being executed with public funds and must strictly align with the approved project plan and the government’s broader vision of strengthening healthcare delivery across the state. He emphasised that every decision taken on such projects must reflect the needs and expectations of the people.
“This project is funded with the resources of the people of Akwa Ibom,” he said. “Every block, every structure, every facility must reflect our commitment to improving the quality of life of our citizens. When priorities are reversed, it raises serious questions.”
He further warned that the state government would not hesitate to hold contractors accountable if they fail to adhere to agreed specifications, timelines, and priorities. According to him, deviations from approved designs and work schedules would attract sanctions, including possible contract reviews or termination.
Sources at the inspection site disclosed that the governor directed officials of the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Works to immediately review the project’s execution plan and ensure that construction focus shifts to critical hospital infrastructure, particularly wards, laboratories, theatres, and emergency units.
The governor also used the opportunity to reiterate his administration’s commitment to revamping the healthcare sector, noting that several health facilities across the state were at different stages of completion or renovation. He stated that his government is determined to ensure that public hospitals are not only completed on time but are also functional, patient-friendly, and equipped to meet modern medical standards.
“This administration is investing heavily in healthcare because we understand its importance to our people,” he said. “But investment must be guided by common sense, compassion, and professionalism.”
The incident has since sparked conversations among residents and on social media, with many Nigerians expressing shock and disbelief that a contractor would prioritise a mortuary over life-saving facilities in a hospital project. Some commentators described the move as symbolic of deeper issues in public project execution, where contractors sometimes pursue convenience rather than purpose.
A public health analyst in Uyo, who spoke on condition of anonymity, described the governor’s reaction as timely and necessary. “Hospitals are first responders in emergencies. You need wards, theatres, diagnostic equipment, and staff areas before you even think of a mortuary. The governor’s intervention is important to prevent a distorted healthcare facility,” the analyst said.
Others praised the governor for personally inspecting projects rather than relying solely on reports from officials, noting that such visits help expose gaps, negligence, and poor judgment early enough for corrective action.
Meanwhile, the contractor reportedly attempted to explain that the mortuary was constructed early due to logistical and structural considerations. However, the explanation did not appear to satisfy the governor, who maintained that project execution must follow logical and ethical priorities, especially in sensitive sectors like healthcare.
The governor concluded the visit by instructing the contractor to immediately redirect efforts toward completing life-saving facilities and warned that continued disregard for government directives would not be tolerated