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Reps to probe NHIA over alleged gross inefficiency
The House of Representatives has resolved to probe the alleged inefficiency in the operations of the National Health Insurance Scheme.
NHIS is a health insurance policy for every Nigerian and legal resident.
The House’s resolution to probe the scheme was a sequel to a motion moved during Thursday’s plenary by the member representing Demsa/Numan/Lamurde Federal Constituency, Adamawa State, Laori Bitrus.
Leading the debate, the Adamawa lawmaker noted that since the passage of the National Health Insurance Act of 2022, the NHIS enjoyed the cooperation of the National Assembly in terms of annual budgetary allocations for it to perform optimally in delivering its mandate to Nigerians.
According to him, enrollees into the scheme “in urban and semi-urban settlements have received extremely poor service from health maintenance organisations, both private and public healthcare facilitates, which is distressing given the harsh reality that Nigerians are faced with the removal of fuel subsidy and other economic policies of the government.”
This is just as he added that medical professionals and other healthcare service providers treat enrollee patients with disdain, “subjecting Nigerians to unnecessary delay with the aim of frustrating patients from accessing services while the HMOs smile to the bank monthly for services poorly rendered.”
He continued, “Some enrollees have recently chosen to pay in full for medical services in establishments other than the HMO they subscribed to, to avoid needless stress and, harassment, that characterised the enrollee patients like beggars devoid of human dignity and respect.
“This scenario could further undermine Nigerians’ trust in the programme if left unchecked considering how crucial a healthy population is to the country’s productivity. The purportedly dehumanising treatment of enrollees and the regular out-of-stock or shortage of necessary medications and consumables in the majority of HMOs require an investigation.
“The House is worried that wherever possible, enrolled patients are made to purchase out-of-stock drugs and consumables outside and they often do so without a refund or any form of compensation from the HMOs, which raises questions about the integrity of the scheme.
“We are also worried about the growing allegations of abysmal service expressed by Nigerians with different unpleasant accounts of frustrations and dehumanised treatments in various HMOs across
the nation.”
According to the lawmaker, if the development is not addressed it would amount to fraud and a gross disservice to Nigerians on whose behalf the government is funding the programme.
Following the adoption of the motion, the House mandated its Committee on Healthcare Services “To investigate the cause of the alleged gross inefficiency of the NHIS and recommend ways the scheme can be made to function more efficiently and report back within four weeks for further legislative action.”
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has disclaimed a purported recruitment announcement for the Port Harcourt Refining Company (PHRC), warning the public against falling victim to fraudulent schemes.
In a statement released on its official X handle (formerly Twitter) on Friday evening, the oil company clarified that no separate recruitment process was ongoing for PHRC beyond the one initiated in 2024.
The statement, titled “NNPC Ltd Disclaims Purported Recruitment Announcement for PHRC,” was signed by the Chief Corporate Communications Officer, Olufemi Soneye.
“The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) has urged members of the public to discountenance purported recruitment announcement for the Port Harcourt Refining Company (PHRC) circulating in certain online platforms,” the statement read.
NNPC Ltd further explained that its recruitment process, which commenced last year, covered all its subsidiaries, including PHRC. The company noted that candidates who passed the Computer-Based Aptitude Test were proceeding to the interview stage.
“The purported recruitment link being circulated in various online platforms is the handiwork of fraudsters who are keen on taking advantage of the newly revamped Port Harcourt Refinery to fleece unsuspecting members of the public with a phantom recruitment announcement. We, therefore, call on members of the public to be wary of the ploy and not fall for it,” the statement warned.
The Adamawa State Muslims Pilgrims Welfare Commission has disbursed N61,080 to each of the 2023 pilgrims from the state over poor services rendered to them by the service providers while in Saudi Arabia.
The executive secretary of the pilgrims commission, Malam Abubakar Salihu, disbursed the refunded money, saying it was a step of accountability.
The disbursement was paid into the account of the pilgrims or, for those without account numbers, through the local government schedule officers of the 21 local governments of the state.
Responding on behalf of the beneficiaries, Alhaji Shuaibu Musa Mele appreciated the commission for ensuring that each pilgrim gets his rightful refund.
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia had earlier refunded money through the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, for sharing among the 36 states of the country.
A school building in Fakai village, reportedly used as a food storage facility by the notorious bandit leader Bello Turji, has been destroyed.
The facility, which had been stocked with large quantities of food supplies, was completely razed, leaving the structure in ruins.
According to local sources, the school was repurposed by the bandits to support their operations in the region.
It served as a key logistical hub for storing essential supplies, ensuring the group’s ability to sustain its activities over time.
The destruction of the stockpile is seen as a major setback for Bello Turji’s network. By eliminating a critical resource hub, the operation is expected to disrupt the group’s supply chain and hinder their ability to operate effectively in the area.
Counter-terrorism expert Zagazola Makama reported that the incident underscores ongoing efforts to counter the influence and operations of bandit groups in the region.
Residents of Fakai village and surrounding areas hope this effort signals further strides toward restoring peace and security.
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