By Peter Onyekachukwu 
By Peter Onyekachukwu
Residents of Ndokwa/Ukwuani Federal Constituency have expressed anger over an alleged plan to relocate the proposed teaching hospital of the Federal University of Medical and Health Sciences, Kwale, to the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Asaba.
The rumour, which resurfaced on Facebook days ago, has triggered sharp reactions from youths and concerned stakeholders. Many described it as a fresh move to marginalise the Ndokwa people and deny them their fair share of development.
Several residents used social media to call on community leaders to resist the move. One Facebook user wrote, “Central Hospital, Kwale, should be upgraded to a tertiary status to serve such purpose.” Another warned, “This must be stopped before it’s too late.”
Though some claimed the Vice Chancellor had previously denied the plan during a similar rumour in 2023, many remain unconvinced. They are urging the Ndokwa Neku Union (NNU) and other advocacy bodies to act now.
A concerned resident asked, “What happened to the Kwale Central Hospital that they were supposed to use?” Others blamed the silence of political leaders from the area, accusing them of betraying the constituency.
The university, announced by the Federal Government in 2022 and approved by the National Universities Commission (NUC), was celebrated as a win for the region. But many fear those gains may be lost if the teaching hospital is moved to Asaba.
Some said such a move would amount to robbing Kwale of the federal presence it deserves, adding that it could worsen the region’s existing neglect in infrastructure and public services.