A N45m renovation project at the Health Clinic in Ungwan Romi, Yeluwa Ward, Kaduna State, has stalled after contractors reportedly removed the facility’s roof and abandoned the site.
Checks by THE WHISTLER revealed that according to the Kaduna State 2025 fourth-quarter budget implementation report, N45m was allocated for the reconstruction and renovation of the Health Clinic, Ungwan Romi, Yeluwa Ward.
However, a field check by Tracka.ng, a civil society organisation that monitors government projects and expenditure, found that work on the facility had stopped after contractors removed the roof about two months before the inspection.
No further significant renovation work was reportedly carried out after the roof was removed, leaving the health facility unable to operate from its original building.
As a result, the officer in charge was forced to relocate the clinic’s activities to a small room provided by a member of the community.
The temporary arrangement has reportedly created difficulties for healthcare workers and patients, with the cramped space making routine operations challenging.
The situation has become more precarious as the owner of the house can no longer accommodate the health workers and activities of the clinic.
The development has effectively left the community health facility without a suitable permanent space to provide healthcare services while the renovation project remains incomplete.
Residents lament lack of access to healthcare
In an interview with THE WHISTLER, residents of Ungwan Romi, Yelwa Ward, said the stalled renovation of the community health clinic had disrupted access to basic healthcare, forcing them to travel to neighbouring communities whenever they needed medical attention.
A resident, Amina Usman, said the closure had created additional transportation costs for residents who previously depended on the clinic.
“Since they removed the roof, we cannot use the clinic again. Whenever we are sick, we have to travel to another area to get treatment. This is difficult, especially for people who cannot afford the extra transport fare.”»
Deborah Michael said the situation had become particularly difficult for families with sick children and people requiring urgent medical attention.
“If a child falls sick, you cannot just take the child to the clinic as before. You have to start looking for another place and transport. Sometimes, the delay can be dangerous.”»
Another resident, Patrick Samson, said residents had lost access to services that were previously available within the community.
“We used to come here for treatment and other basic health services. Now the building is not functioning because the roof has been removed and the work stopped. We have to go outside the community even for simple medical needs.”
Kabiru Bala called on the authorities to ensure that the contractor returns to the site and completes the renovation.
“The government has allocated money for this project, so we want to see the work completed. Removing the roof and abandoning the clinic has made things worse for us. We need the health facility back because many people here depend on it.”
CSO calls for action
Tracka.ng has called on the Kaduna State Ministry of Health, the implementing agency, to ensure that the contractor returns to site and completes the renovation.
The civil society organisation said completing the project would enable the health facility to resume operations in an appropriate environment and prevent residents from losing access to essential healthcare services.
The stalled project raises questions about the implementation of a publicly funded health infrastructure project for which N45m was provided in the state’s 2025 budget.
Beyond the expenditure, the delay has direct consequences for healthcare delivery in Ungwan Romi and surrounding communities, where residents depend on the clinic for basic medical services.
The Kaduna State Ministry of Health should therefore clarify the status of the project, the amount already released to the contractor, the reason for the abandonment and the timeline for completing the renovation.
Until the contractor returns and the facility is restored, residents and health workers remain without a functional permanent clinic despite the allocation made for its reconstruction and renovation.
