The Enugu State Government has disclosed that the ongoing construction of 260 Type-2 Primary Healthcare Centres across the state’s 260 wards will cost N24 billion. The Secretary to the State Government, Professor Chidiebere Onyia, made this known on Friday during an appearance on Arise News TV’s Morning Show, providing a detailed breakdown of the expenditure.
Onyia explained that the state government is spending about N90 million to complete each PHC, a sum that covers equipment, solar systems, laboratory equipment, accommodation for health workers, perimeter fencing, and other related costs. He revealed that 30 PHCs have been completed so far, while the remaining 230 are nearing completion. The governor has also approved approximately N4 billion for equipping 100 PHCs. He stressed that the total money for the construction of all 260 PHCs has already been disbursed, with funds for equipment procurement now being released separately.
The project was flagged off months after Governor Peter Mbah assumed office, and in January 2025, President Bola Tinubu visited the state to commission some of the completed PHCs alongside other infrastructure projects. Professor Tanimola Akande, a public health physician, noted that the construction of these facilities would improve access to healthcare, particularly for vulnerable populations such as pregnant women and children in rural areas, and should help improve health indices in the state.
From an economic perspective, the N24 billion investment represents a significant commitment to human capital development, which is a critical driver of long-term productivity and economic growth. Improved primary healthcare reduces mortality rates, lowers household out-of-pocket health expenditures, and increases labour force participation by keeping workers healthy. The integration of solar systems and modern laboratory equipment also demonstrates a strategic approach to addressing infrastructure gaps that have historically constrained service delivery in rural areas.
