FCTA purchases 12 ambulances for ₦1.74bn to boost emergency response
The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has announced an investment of ₦1.74 billion for the purchase of 12 new ambulances to improve emergency response and healthcare delivery across hospitals in the nation’s capital.
Adedolapo Fasawe, mandate secretary of Health, Human and Environmental Services, confirmed that the FCT Executive Council has ratified the contract for the purchase.
She disclosed this during a press briefing in Abuja, following the Executive Council meeting held on Friday.
According to the Health Secretary, the new fleet consists of 12 Toyota Hiace high roof ambulances (2023/2024 models), procured for ₦1.74 billion. The contract ratification follows her earlier announcement in July about plans to acquire new ambulances and digitise emergency response units across the FCT.
While speaking at the Community First Responders Training organised by the Health Emergency Initiative and the FCT Primary Health Care Board, Fasawe stated that the ambulances were purchased under the leadership of Nyesom Wike the FCT minister.
She explained that beyond acquiring vehicles, the goal is to establish an effective ambulance service system with stations, trained drivers, and nurses serving as first responders.
She also said efforts are ongoing to connect all hospitals in the FCT to an online platform that will show real-time information on bed availability and the nearest medical facilities. “Technology is very important,” she noted.
Fasawe confirmed that the ambulances have been delivered and will be commissioned soon.
“At today’s Executive Council meeting, the contract was ratified,” she said. “For the first time in nine years, the FCT will receive 12 new ambulances built to international standards. They come with keyless entry, airbags, Bluetooth, central locking, and six-cylinder engines.
“The project was completed within four weeks.”
She added that the Secretariat has partnered with the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to ensure residents can reach emergency services by dialing the 112 toll-free number. Calls made to 112 will be directed to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the National Emergency Medical Services and Ambulance System (NEMSAS), or the FCT Health Insurance Scheme (FCT-HIS), depending on the situation.
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Fasawe also emphasised that FCT ambulances will not be used to transport corpses, describing the act as unethical. She said the administration plans to purchase hearses in the next budget for that purpose.
“The 112 line is active,” she said. “Once our ambulance system becomes fully operational, we will have a radio base linked directly to that number. Residents can call 112 to connect to the nearest ambulance through FEMA, NEMSAS, or FCT-HIS.
“We have zero tolerance for using ambulances to carry corpses. It is unhygienic and unsafe for future patients. That is why we plan to acquire hearses for that purpose,” she added.
