The House of Representatives has resolved to set up an Ad-hoc committee to investigate the past administration of President Goodluck Jonathan and the President Muhammadu Buhari government over N11.1 billion State House Clinic budgets between 2015-2017.
The agreement was reached unanimously by the lawmakers sequel to a motion entitled, ‘’Need to investigate the deplorable condition of the State House Clinic and the alleged deductions from the salaries and allowances of the medical staff”, moved by Rep. Henry Archibong, PDP, Akwa Ibom.
The Green Chambers also applauded Wife of the President, Aisha Buhari, for bringing the issue to Public glare.
The lawmaker submitted that over the years, the clinic has been receiving annual budgetary allocations to procure equipment to function optimally, noted that in the 2015, 2016 and 2017 Appropriation Acts, the Clinic was allocated the sums of N3.94 billion, N3.87 billion and N3.2 billion respectively, for upgrading and provision of necessary drugs and equipment.
He noted that within the 36 months, the 16 teaching hospitals got N1.424 billion; 2016: 3.333 billion and 2017: N1.943 billion collectively.
Archibong lamented that in spite of the huge budgetary allocations, the Clinic lacks necessary facilities such as syringes, drugs and equipment needed to save lives.
His words, “This is unacceptable. Less than three years of this government, this amount has been spent. It is unacceptable that the Permanent Secretary and the Minister (Minister of Health) have not resigned.
“It cannot happen in other smaller countries. Is this the change we have been waiting for? This is a question.”
Comments