The ceremony, held at the Lokoja Old Market Primary Healthcare Centre, saw the governor symbolically hand over the facilities to local health authorities after cutting the ribbon.

Speaking at the event, Governor Ododo emphasized that the upgrades equipped with modern medical tools, solar power, staff quarters, and essential drugs will reduce maternal and child mortality while easing pressure on urban hospitals.

“This is not just infrastructure; it is a lifeline for our rural dwellers who have long been neglected,” Ododo declared.

The project, executed through a tripartite partnership involving the Kogi State Ministry of Health, the State Primary Healthcare Development Agency (SPHCDA), and the World Bank-assisted Saving One Million Lives Program for Results (SOML PforR), focused on structural rehabilitation, equipment supply, and capacity building.

State Health Commissioner Dr. Zakari Usman revealed that over ₦2.5 billion was invested in the phase, with plans to revitalize an additional 133 PHCs in subsequent stages.

Local residents and traditional leaders at the event praised the initiative, with the Ohinoyi of Ebiraland’s representative hailing it as “the most impactful health intervention in decades.”

The governor assured sustained funding and monitoring to ensure the facilities remain functional, warning against misuse or vandalism.