By: Manoah Kikekon
Public anger has eruwpted over the deteriorating state of Pota Primary Health Centre (PHC) in Badagry, with residents decrying its snake-infested and dilapidated condition. The facility, once a functional healthcare hub, has become a symbol of neglect, sparking criticism against local and federal representatives.
However, a media aide to Hon. Sesi Oluwaseun Whingan, the House of Representatives member for Badagry Federal Constituency, has pushed back, asserting that the lawmaker had previously refurbished the centre before his election .
In a statement released on Saturday, Olamilekan Quadri, a media aide to Hon. Whingan, described the current state of the PHC as "disheartening" but emphasized that the facility had been fully rehabilitated by the Sesi Whingan Foundation in November 2020. According to Quadri, the foundation donated medical equipment, including beds, wheelchairs, fans, lockers, and other essentials, while also repainting and structurally improving the building. “Five years ago, this health centre was a beacon of hope,” Quadri stated, adding that its current decay reflects a failure of maintenance by responsible authorities .
Quadri dismissed online claims that Hon. Whingan had neglected the PHC, arguing that the lawmaker’s past intervention proves his commitment to Badagry’s development. “The records and photos are there this facility didn’t collapse on its own. It was working, stocked, and clean. Government let it die,” he said. The aide’s remarks highlight a recurring issue in Nigerian public infrastructure, where initial investments are often undermined by poor maintenance and bureaucratic inefficiencies .
Despite the backlash, Quadri assured residents that Hon. Whingan is aware of the outcry and is prepared to take action if necessary. “We’ve been watching, listening, and preparing to act,” he said, suggesting that the lawmaker may step in once more to address the PHC’s condition. This statement comes as Badagry residents demand accountability from both Local, state and federal representatives, questioning why a once-functional facility has been allowed to deteriorate .
In a follow-up statement, Quadri clarified that his earlier remarks, though made in his capacity as Whingan’s aide, represented his personal views and not an official position from the lawmaker’s office. This distinction may temper some of the political tensions surrounding the issue, but the underlying dissatisfaction among Badagry residents remains. As the debate continues, the spotlight stays on whether Hon. Whingan and other stakeholders will take concrete steps to restore the Pota PHC and whether systemic fixes will follow to prevent similar failures in the future .