By Oluwaseun Nubi

Mr Benson Ayodele, Chairman, Imota Local Council Development Area (LCDA) of Lagos State on Tuesday inaugurated a 40-bed Primary Health Centre at Oke Lisa community facilitated by the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals (OSSAP-SDGs).

The inauguration of the health centre is part of activities marking the first anniversary of the chairman’s administration.

In his remarks, Ayodele said that the health centre reflected his administration’s commitment to improving healthcare access for residents of Imota LCDA.

“This is not just a building, it is a commitment to ensuring that our people have access to quality and affordable healthcare services,” he said.

The chairman disclosed that a perimeter fence would be constructed around the facility before the end of the year to enhance security.

He also revealed that Mr Adegoke Benson, Member representing Ikorodu Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, had pledged to facilitate the construction of a four-kilometre road linking Igbokuta Junction to Igbalu.

Ayodele reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to healthcare development under the HI-SEE Transformation Agenda and called for continued support from residents.

He expressed appreciation to Dr Muiz Banire, Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu for the THEMES+ Agenda and the Baale of Oke Lisa, Chief Rasaq Onanuga, for donating the land for the project.

The health centre comprised separate male and female wards, a pediatric ward, laboratory, labour theatre, constant water supply system, security post and a Mikano generating set to ensure uninterrupted electricity supply.

The facility, designed for 24-hour operations, will provide maternal and child healthcare services, routine immunisation, family planning, health education, free medical outreaches and enrolment under the ILERA EKO health insurance scheme.

Also speaking at the inauguration, Dr Akinwunmi Mustapha, Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Primary Health Care Board, described the project as a significant milestone in strengthening healthcare delivery at the grassroots.

Mustapha urged residents to take ownership of the facility, protect the infrastructure and make effective use of the services provided.

“This facility is a major achievement in our efforts to bring quality healthcare closer to the people.

“We encourage residents to support and protect this investment, so that it can continue to serve the community,” he said.

Some residents commended the council chairman for the establishment of the health facility, describing it as a major relief for the community.

Mrs Amina Yusuf, a resident of Oke Lisa, said that the centre would reduce the stress residents faced in accessing healthcare services.

“We are happy about this project because it will help mothers, children and the elderly in this community. We appreciate the chairman for bringing healthcare closer to us,” Yusuf said.

Another resident, Mr Tunde Adewale, appealed to the government to establish more primary healthcare centres across other communities within the LCDA.

“We thank the chairman for this initiative. More of such facilities should be built because healthcare is very important and this will really help the community,” Adewale said.

The event was attended by officials of the Lagos State Ministry of Health and Primary Health Care Board, local government leaders, traditional rulers, party stakeholders and community residents

(NAN)