ICPC probes utilisation of N950m fund released to teaching hospitals
By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
University of Port Harcourt (Uniport) Teaching Hospital and other health institutions are being probed by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) over the N950 million released to them to tackle coronavirus.
Abuja released N950 million each to 52 Federal Teaching Hospitals and Medical Centres under its Economic Sustainability Plan for them to build and furnish Molecular Laboratories, Isolation Centres, 10 bedded Intensive Care Units (ICUs), and procure Personnel Protective Equipment (PPE).
The investigation comes after alleged violation of the ICPC Act by the beneficiaries of the fund meant to research and develop a cure for Covid-19 whose new Omicron variant is posing more health hazards.
Canada on December 1 banned flights from Nigeria and nine other African nations to prevent the spread of Omicron in the North American country.
The United Kingdom on December 4 added Nigeria to its flight ban list because travellers from Nigeria tested positive for Omicron on arrival in the UK.
ICPC spokesperson Azuka Ogugua confirmed in a statement that an immediate investigation into the utilisation of the N950 million fund by Uniport Teaching Hospital has begun.
She said the ICPC has obtained documents from the Federal Ministry of Health, Federal Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning, and Uniport Teaching Hospital that would assist in the investigation.
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ICPC creates anti-graft unit at Uniport
In 2014, the ICPC inaugurated an Anti-Corruption and Transparency Monitoring Unit (ACTU) at Uniport to help eradicate graft.
Rivers State ICPC Chairman Ekpo Nta said the ACTU was created to conduct preliminary investigation into corruption allegation petitions.
Ekpo, represented by ICP Director of Corruption, Monitoring and Evaluation Department, Banabas Baba-Gaji, explained that panel make recommendations to the Uniport management and ICPC for further action.
“ACTU is not a police station; it is not a spying agent, it was instituted in the Uniport to enhance management activities. ICPC is more than ready to partner with the university to make the Nigerian public service, especially Uniport the pride of our nation.
“Most importantly, ACTU members are expected to pay particular attention to the preventive and educational/public enlightenment duties. We will pursue a robust and vigorous moral rearmament and gross socialisation which is part of ACTU’s mandate,” Ekpo said.