Senate investigates NHIS, NPHCDA over alleged high-handedness, corruption
The Senate, Wednesday, directed its relevant committees to probe the
National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) and the National Primary Health
Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) over allegations of high-handedness and
corruption.
The resolution followed an adopted motion sponsored by Sen. Mao Ohuabunwa (Abia North).
The NHIS has been embroiled in crisis over allegations of fraud and
high-handedness against its Executive Secretary, Yusuf Usman, by the
Governing Council of the scheme.
It got to a head recently when Usman forced his way into his office after he was suspended by the council.
The Federal Government intervened last week by sending the Executive
Secretary on administrative leave, and constituted a panel to
investigate the allegations against him.
In the motion, Ohuabunwa listed the allegations against the NHIS boss as
high-handedness, budget distortion, fraudulent cost manipulation,
illegal investments and unprofessional manipulation of humans resources
at the agency.
“All these are issues that have pitched the NHIS against its employees
and its Board, while jeopardising the interests of the general public,”
he said.
The Senator said the same scenario was playing out in the NPHCDA, where
the Executive Director (Dr Faisal Shuaib) was facing similar
accusations.
“Many of our public agencies today have moved away from the direct focus
on serving the citizens to advance economic and social development.
“Rather, they are now furthering impunity that borders on personality
cults, and these certainly run conter to the objectives of the Federal
Government.
“These unguarded executive and administrative processes pervading our
public agencies, if not verified, checked and redirected for good, will
seriously impair tthe important roles of our public agencies in
advancing the economic, social and general wellbeing of our citizens.
“As a result, our nascent democracy will gradually lose its steam to
emerging impunity of government appointed self-serving titans now
looming large,” he said.
Ohuabunwa urged the Senate to exercise its constitutional powers of oversight to intervene and get to the root of the crisis.
Senate President, Bukola Saraki, quickly put the motion to a voice vote and it was passed by the lawmkers.
The resolution specifically mandated the Joint Senate Committee on
Primary Health Care and Communicable Diseases and Health to carry out
the assignment.
It is to “thoroughly investigate the matter and other infractions, and inform the Senate of its findings in two weeks”.
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