News

Reps Vow To Ensure Strict Compliance With Budgetary Appropriation

Published

5 months ago

August 22, 2024

Gloria Ikibah

…as public accounts committee commence oversight in S/West

… Query FMC Lagos, LUTH, NIMASA, others over various financial infraction

By Gloria Ikibah

The House of Representatives has vowed to ensure that all agencies of government comply strictly with budgetary appropriations.

The Chairman House Committee on Public Accounts, Rep. Bamidele Salam, stated this at the commencement of phase one of its oversight to investigate spending by agencies in the Southwest.

According to him, the Committee was not out to witch hunt any Ministry, Department or Agency but to ensure that Nigerians get value for their money.

Naijablitznews.com reports that the Committee commenced its oversight with an investigative hearing on Wednesday, 21st August which will hold till Friday, 23rd August, 2024, in Lagos State.

In his opening remarks, Rep. Salam said agencies must show value for any money collected; adding that violations would not be tolerated, even as he threatened appropriate sanctions according to the law against defaulters.

The committee in its hearing entertained presentations from the Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital Yaba and Lagos University Teaching Hospital.

The Chief Medical Director (CMD) of the Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital Yaba, Dr. Olugbenga Owoeye, was quizzed

on various financial and regulatory infractions from the committee.

The committee during the question and answer session queried Owoeye over the recurring non-remittance of the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR).

He was also questioned for engaging in extra-budgetary spendings Andrew the inability to adhere to financial regulations thereby contravening several sections of financial regulations.

The committee also frowned at the employment principle of the hospital which failed to accommodate the federal character principle of sharing available job opportunities equitably across the geo-political zones of the country.

The committee also demanded that the hospital to account for contract sums of N422.3million as well as the spending of N50.3million on staff training.

The explanations given by the CMD fell short of the expectations of the committee and it therefore requested for records all the paid for, completed and on-going contracts.

The CMD also stated that the 500 bed facility which was established in 1907 is in urgent need of support to enable it to deliver on its mandate.

LUTH on the other hand was represented by its Medical Director, Prof. Lanre Adeyemo, explained that his hospital is also undergoing some challenges that have made its operations very difficult, pointing out that, of all of such, power supply has remain stubbornly outstanding.

He put the cost of powering the hospital at some point at over N181 million monthly until a federal government intervention of 300 solar panels were deployed.

He was grilled on non-remittance of IGR, discrepancy in Remita payments amounting to over N2 billion, extra-budgetary spendings without approval amounting to N150.3 billion in the period under review.

He was also questioned on the untidy work by the LUTH tender board, contravention of circular on no-payment for staff’s professional membership fees, amongst other sundry issues.

His justification of the issues under probe did not convince the committee and requested for necessary evidences on approvals, spendings and adherence to financial regulations.

Ruling on the matters, the committee resolved that, all the excuses rendered in explaining the contraventions was not valid and cannot be tolerated.

It posited that they amounted to gross violation of extant laws.

Both hospitals complained about personnel loss due to the “japa syndrome” and untimely release of budgetary allocations to them.

They therefore called on the committee to help them intervene in all their problems to enable them live up to public expectations.

Other MDAs scheduled to appear before the committee include: Nigerian Institute for Medical Research, NIMR; National Orthopaedic Hospital, Igbobi; Nigeria Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, (NIMASA); Nigerian Shippers Council, (NSC); Nigerian Ports Authority, (NPA); Nigeria Railway Corporation, (NRC); Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria, (CRFFN); amongst others.

News

Gunmen abduct Nigerian Professor, Demand N10m Ransom

Published

2 hours ago

January 4, 2025

Kayode Sanni-Arewa

By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

Gunmen suspected to be kidnappers have abducted Professor John Ebeh, a senior lecturer in the Department of Philosophy at Prince Abubakar Audu University (PAAU), Anyigba, Kogi State.

The assailants are reportedly demanding a N10 million ransom for his release.

Eyewitness accounts revealed that the attackers invaded the professor’s residence in Agbeji, a suburb of Anyigba, in Dekina Local Government Area, at about 7 p.m. on Thursday.

According to a neighbor who identified himself as Akpai, “The hoodlums operated in a commando manner. It was swift. We noticed a car trailing him furiously; we took it as one of his friends or colleagues, not until we started hearing gunshots around his gate.”

A family source disclosed that the professor was abducted just as he was about to enter his compound.

“Professor Ebeh was almost at the gate of his house at Agbeji, on his way from the town when the incident happened.

“He had even given out a signal to his people to open the gate of his house when some people emerged suddenly from their hideout and started shooting sporadically.

“Amidst the confusion, someone drove in furiously and blocked his car.

“Some masked people alighted from the vehicle and whisked him away at gunpoint.

“His abductors called the family on Friday night, demanding N10 million,” the source recounted.

University officials have yet to issue an official statement regarding the incident.

However, one of Professor Ebeh’s colleagues expressed shock at the development, saying, “The kidnapping (of the professor) came to us as a shock. I have just visited his family to sympathize with them.”

News

Sad: Ondo SSG Is Dead

Published

2 hours ago

January 4, 2025

Kayode Sanni-Arewa

By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

The Secretary to the Ondo State Government, Tayo Oluwatuyi, on Saturday died in an auto crash.

The SSG died in the crash which occurred while he was traveling from Akure, Ondo State capital, to Ibadan in Oyo State.

Confirming the incident, Ondo State Commissioner for Information, Wale Akinlosotu, stated that Oluwatuyi was hospitalised before he gave up the ghost.

“Hon. Oluwatuyi was a dedicated public servant whose unwavering commitment to administrative coordination, policy advisory, and implementation had a significant impact on Ondo State.

“Further details regarding memorial arrangements will be shared as they become available,” he added.

News

Mohamed Salah confirms this season as his last season at Liverpool

Published

2 hours ago

January 4, 2025

Kayode Sanni-Arewa

By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

Liverpool’s talisman, Mohamed Salah Hamed Mahrous Ghaly, popularly known as Mohamed Salah, has confirmed that the 2024–2025 football season will be his last season donning the shirts of Liverpool.

In an interview with Sky Sports, Mo Salah revealed that he is eager to win this year’s English Premier League title for the Reds to sign off his eight-year stay with the Merseyside based club.

Salah reflected on Liverpool’s previous Premier League triumph in the 2019-2020 season, noting that they were unable to celebrate it as they had hoped. Salah stated that he is determined to help the team win the title this year and celebrate in a manner worthy of their remarkable achievement.

He reflected on Liverpool’s previous Premier League triumph, noting that they were unable to celebrate it as they had hoped. Salah stated that he is determined to help the team win the title this year and celebrate in a manner worthy of their remarkable achievement.

“It’s probably because we didn’t celebrate the one we won in the way we wanted and also, coming back here too, it’s my last year in the club so you want to do something special for the city.

“We waited for that title for 30 years or so. So, to win it and it was the pandemic at that time, we didn’t really have time to celebrate it in the right way. It’s not a nice thing to do, so hopefully we can do it this year.”

“I really want to win the Premier League this season as it’s my last year at the club. I want to give something special to the City.” He said.

Mohamed Salah’s contract with Liverpool is set to expire at the end of the current season. He explained that although his agent, Ramy Abbas, and Liverpool are yet to reach any conclusive decision regarding a contract renewal, he remains focused and is not distracted by the off-field uncertainty.

“We are far away from any progress so we just need to wait and see.

“The thing in my head is ‘OK, if it’s my last six months, or last year, what do you want to see in the future? Do you want to look back and say I was concerned about the contract or I was stressed’ or do you just want to say ‘OK, I had an unbelievable season’.

“That’s in my head now. All the time now. If I feel that kind of distraction, I remind myself ‘You want to look back and you had an unbelievable season’. So that’s what I want to do.” He explained.

He has been in electric form this term, scoring 17 goals in 18 league games, while also registering 13 assists. He has won 9 trophies with Liverpool which includes 1 EPL title, 1 FA Cup, 2 EFL Cups, 1 FA Community Shield, 1 UEFA Champions League title, 1 UEFA Super Cup and 1 FIFA Club World Cup.

Source: Elvisanokyenews.com