Viral Video: Gov Eno questions contractor after Hospital project begins with mortuary

Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has questioned a contractor over the sequencing of work at a hospital construction site after discovering that construction commenced with a mortuary, gatehouse and chapel instead of core medical facilities.

The governor raised the concern during an inspection visit to the project site, a moment captured in a video that has since gone viral on social media.

In the footage, Governor Eno rejected a document displayed on the contractor’s mobile phone, insisting it did not qualify as an approved building plan.

“It doesn’t work with me. There is no plan for me to view,” the governor said.

When the contractor explained that work had begun with the gatehouse, mortuary and chapel, the governor expressed displeasure, though in a light-hearted manner.

“Why do you start with a mortuary? I said build a hospital, and you start with a mortuary,” Eno remarked.

The video was recorded by the governor’s official photographer, Ms. Idara Adiakpan.

According to a post on the Akwa Ibom State Government’s official Facebook page, the exchange occurred at the construction site of the General Hospital located in Ikot Ekpene Udo, the governor’s country home.

Parody Video Sparks Online Reactions

Following the circulation of the video, a local blogger, Kingsley Umanah, released a parody clip recreating the scene and mimicking the governor’s remarks.

Ms. Adiakpan also shared the parody on social media, reacting humorously to the impersonation.

“Who knows his location? We need to catch this impersonator… Reward for anyone who will help us catch him. Thanks in advance,” she wrote.

The incident has since generated widespread reactions online, with many users debating project planning standards and contractor competence.

A Facebook user, Udeme Gordian, criticised the contractor’s approach, describing it as poor project management.

“As a project manager, starting a hospital project with a mortuary and chapel instead of core medical facilities reflects poor prioritisation and scope misalignment,” he wrote.

He added that essential clinical and emergency services should ordinarily be prioritised, while support facilities come later in the project lifecycle.

Another user, Great Ak-Bassey, questioned the continued dependence on foreign contractors for major construction projects in Nigeria.

“Why do we still hand over major projects to foreign contractors when Nigeria has trained professionals who can deliver?” he asked, calling for greater confidence in local expertise.

Background

Governor Eno had earlier declared a state of emergency in Akwa Ibom’s health sector, citing manpower shortages and infrastructure deficits.

As part of reforms, his administration has approved the recruitment of 3,000 health workers, implemented salary increases for medical personnel, commenced the construction of 31 model primary healthcare centres across the state, and completed a General Hospital in Ukanafun.

The General Hospital under construction in Ikot Ekpene Udo is one of several health projects currently being executed under the administration’s healthcare revitalisation programme.

Join Very Nigerian WhatsApp Channel
For Verified Breaking News, Exclusive Reports, Trending Stories, And Real-time Updates.
CLICk HERE TO JOIN!