By Emmanuel Enebeli
KWALE/Nigeria: Constituents of Ndokwa/Ukwuani Federal Constituency have strongly reacted to rumours that the newly established Federal University of Medical and Health Sciences, Kwale, may relocate its proposed teaching hospital from Kwale to the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) Asaba. The outrage, expressed through social media posts and community forums, reflects deep frustration among the people over what they describe as a consistent pattern of marginalization and a lack of genuine commitment to the development of the Ndokwa region.
The rumour, which surfaced again on Facebook days ago, prompted a flurry of critical reactions. Many users condemned any attempt to sideline the Central Hospital, Kwale, the originally proposed site for the university’s teaching hospital, urging community leaders and stakeholders to resist such moves with urgency. “Central Hospital, Kwale, should be upgraded to a tertiary status to serve such purpose,” one resident stated, while another insisted that the alleged plan must be stopped “before it’s too late.”
Although some commenters claimed the Vice Chancellor of the university had previously denied such plans during earlier rumours in 2023, skepticism remains high. Calls have intensified for the Ndokwa Neku Union, (NNU) and other advocacy groups to speak out and take immediate action. “What happened to the Kwale Central Hospital that they were supposed to use?” one person asked, while others expressed disappointment in the perceived silence or weakness of Ndokwa political leaders, accusing them of selling out the constituency’s interests.
The university, which was announced by the Federal Government in 2022 and approved by the National Universities Commission (NUC) as part of efforts to expand access to medical education in Nigeria, was widely celebrated as a major breakthrough for the Ndokwa region. However, residents now fear that the gains of hosting such a federal institution may be eroded if essential infrastructure like the teaching hospital is relocated to another city. Many believe this move, if confirmed, would amount to robbing Kwale of its rightful share of federal presence and could deepen long-standing infrastructural neglect in the area.
