House May Probe N100m Healthcare Under Obasanjo

The House of Representatives may soon set up an ad hoc committee to investigate the project initiated by the Olusegun Obasanjo administration in 2007 for Primary Healthcare Centres in the 774 local governments, the Nation Newspaper reports.

Chairman of the House Committee on Legislative Compliance Olasupo Abiodun gave this hint at a public presentation of the state of primary healthcare centres by the Public and Private Development Centre (PPDC).

He said in the dying days of the Obasanjo regime, he initiated an intervention programme, where N100 million was deducted from source from allocations to the 774 local government councils for the establishment of PHCs, purchase of ambulances and other consumables.

He added that nothing has been heard about the project since then.

According to him, the motion will soon be moved on the floor of the House for an ad hoc committee to be set up to investigate the project.

He lamented the lack of synergy among the various tiers of government on who should carry out specific assignments, adding that functions meant for the primary healthcare centres were being undertaken by the tertiary hospitals.

He said as a result of being overburdened by activities meant for other sectors, the tertiary hospitals have not been able to carry out their functions.