THE House of Representatives yesterday mandated its committees on Health and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to investigate what the lawmakers described as “suspicious mismanagement” of N3.8 billion from the N4.5 billion approved by President Goodluck Jonathan to establish an American hospital and the American University of Medical Sciences in Nigeria.

In 2005, the Federal Government entered into a Public Private Partnership (PPP) with an American health interest, AFAM Comprehensive Healthcare Group of New York, resulting in the latter’s development of blueprint for the Nigerian health sector.

The plan was later submitted to President Jonathan, who approved a waiver of N4.5 billion on interests and penalties for the proposed hospital and university to be located along the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport Road, Abuja.

Making a submission in a motion on the floor of the House yesterday, its sponsor, Kingsley Chinda, disclosed that irregularities have been discovered in the management of bank accounts holding N3.8 billion so far paid out from the Federation Account.

Chinda said the bank accounts were illegally opened and operated by “certain persons” without recourse to the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON).

“On July 4, 2011, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) on orders of the Accountant-General of the Federation (AGF) paid out from the Federation Account (at source) the sum of N3.8 billion out of N4.5 billion approved by the President into Bank PHB Account No. 1001173005, which accounts were illegally opened and operated by certain persons, without the knowledge or approval of the interim Management Committee of ALGON in contravention of an Abuja Federal High Court Order in suit No. FHC /ABJ/ CS/ 538 /2011,” he added.

In adopting the motion to investigate the alleged mismanagement and embezzlements, the Speaker, Aminu Tambuwal, mandated the two committees to probe the transactions, with a view to determining the veracity or otherwise of the allegations and report back to the Chamber within four weeks.

-Guardian

Posted by admin on Apr 18 2012. Filed under House, Legislature. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry