Residents of Surulere and surrounding communities in Lagos State are demanding answers over the slow pace of reconstruction at Randle General Hospital despite ₦805.4 million reportedly paid to two contractors for the project.
The reconstruction and equipping of the hospital were captured in the 2024 Federal Government budget, but concerns have mounted over the level of work completed since substantial payments were made in December 2025.
According to a project-monitoring report, ₦406 million was paid to Lagfield Construction Ltd on December 20, 2025, for the reconstruction and remodelling of the hospital. On the same day, Candon Construction Ltd reportedly received another ₦399.4 million for the equipping, reconstruction and remodelling of the facility.
However, a monitoring visit to the project site in October 2026 reportedly showed little visible progress, with the foundation still not fully formed, raising questions about the implementation timeline and the utilisation of the funds disbursed.
The report also disclosed that ₦210 million had been disbursed for the project in 2022, although implementation was not observed at the time. The hospital’s reconstruction was subsequently highlighted in a 2025 annual report, after which contractors reportedly mobilised to the site.
Despite the subsequent payments, residents say the pace of work remains a major concern.
The prolonged project has also disrupted healthcare delivery in the area.
Since January 2026, staff of Randle General Hospital have reportedly been evacuated and redeployed to other hospitals and primary healthcare centres within the surrounding communities.
Residents of Randle, Lawanson, Marshal, Akerele, Bode Thomas, Adeniran Ogunsanya and neighbouring areas depend on healthcare facilities across the axis, making the hospital’s continued disruption a source of concern.
The delay could place additional pressure on nearby health facilities receiving patients and staff displaced by the reconstruction.
The slow pace of construction has triggered questions about accountability, project supervision and the delivery timeline.
Residents and project monitors are demanding explanations from the relevant authorities, including the Nigerian Building and Road Research Institute (NBRRI), and have called on the appropriate oversight officials to clarify the status of the project.
They want to know why substantial payments have reportedly been made while visible construction remains at an early stage, and when the hospital will be ready to resume full operations.
There are also concerns that further delays could increase the project’s overall cost as inflation pushes up the prices of construction materials, labour and other inputs.
Such increases could place additional pressure on public funds and threaten timely completion if the project is not accelerated.
The project monitors have called on NBRRI and other relevant authorities to explain the slow pace of work and provide a clear timeline for completion.
They insist that public spending on critical healthcare infrastructure must translate into measurable progress and improved access to medical services.
With ₦805.4 million reportedly disbursed to the two contractors, residents want to see tangible evidence of work on the ground and a credible plan for returning Randle General Hospital to service.
For communities that rely on the facility, the central question remains: when will the reconstruction be completed, and when will the hospital reopen to serve the public?
The relevant authorities and contractors should provide clear updates on the project’s implementation status, outstanding work and completion schedule.
