Former Governor of Anambra State Willie Obiano has highlighted the importance of functional public services, urging state governments to prioritise them over projects.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Monday, Obiano stated that a government building a Primary Healthcare Centre (PHC) does not necessarily mean it has provided a functional healthcare service.
He argued that what matters is whether there is a trained healthcare worker, electricity at night, clean water, functioning equipment, and a reliable referral system in the event of an emergency.
“The latest reports from several Nigerian communities are a reminder that development cannot be measured by the number of projects announced or buildings completed. Institutions earn public trust through functionality,” he said.
The former governor added that citizens experience government not through budgets and speeches, but through whether a service works when they need it.
