The claim by the Member representing Boki/Ikom Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Victor Abang, that he donated medical equipment worth N350 million to Abo Ebam Health Centre is generating serious questions among residents of Boki.
In his recently released three-year scorecard, the lawmaker listed the donation of "critical medical equipment worth N350 million" to Abo Ebam Health Centre as one of his achievements in the healthcare sector.
However, beyond the huge figure attached to the project, no detailed list of the equipment was provided.
For many residents, the question is simple: What exactly was donated that is worth N350 million?
For years, constituents have complained about what they describe as a lack of transparency in the execution and presentation of constituency projects. Rather than providing clear project details, costs and beneficiaries, many political office holders simply announce figures and expect the public to accept them without questions.
The case of the alleged N350 million donation to Abo Ebam Health Centre appears to be one of such cases.
Boki Blog Africa spoke with people familiar with its operations. Our findings raise questions about whether the equipment currently available at the centre reflects a donation valued at N350 million.
The facility does not have oxygen facilities for emergency cases. It is not equipped to carry out critical surgical operations. Patients requiring advanced medical attention are often referred elsewhere.
If equipment worth N350 million was truly supplied, residents argue that the impact should be visible in the quality and capacity of services available at the centre.
Our investigation further revealed that several items currently found within the facility were reportedly provided by non-governmental organizations and other intervention partners over the years.
The question therefore remains: Which of the available equipment belongs to the alleged N350 million donation by Hon. Victor Abang?
Photos circulated online as evidence of the donation showed a few patient beds, bed frames and cartons said to contain medical equipment and supplies.
However, the contents of the cartons were not publicly displayed and no inventory was released to show exactly what was inside them.
Without a breakdown, many residents find it difficult to understand how the value of the donation reached N350 million.
Healthcare workers and medical equipment suppliers contacted by Boki Blog Africa noted that while medical equipment can be expensive, public accountability requires clear disclosure of what was purchased, the quantity supplied and the cost of each item.
Residents insist that nobody is saying government officials should not execute projects. Rather, they are demanding transparency.
If indeed equipment worth N350 million was donated, then the lawmaker should have no difficulty publishing a complete list of the items, their costs and procurement details.
Such information would put an end to speculations and allow constituents to appreciate the true value of the intervention.
As things stand, the public has been presented with a figure of N350 million but has not been shown a detailed account of how that figure was arrived at.
This is why questions continue to grow.
Was the figure accurately calculated?
What equipment was supplied?
How much did each item cost?
How many units were delivered?
Why is the health centre still unable to provide several critical healthcare services expected from a facility that allegedly received equipment worth hundreds of millions of naira?
Until these questions are answered with verifiable facts and documentation, the claim is likely to remain a subject of public debate across Boki and beyond.
Public office holders are custodians of public resources. The people therefore have a right to ask questions, demand evidence and seek accountability whenever large sums of public money are attached to projects carried out in their name.
For now, constituents are waiting for answers.
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