Nasarawa State Governor, Abdullahi Sule, has ordered the immediate investigation, arrest and prosecution of officials of General Hospital, Umuahia Development Area in Toto Local Government Area, over the alleged sale of hospital equipment worth millions of naira.
The governor also directed the state Ministry of Health to identify those responsible and ensure that they face the full weight of the law if found culpable.
Sule gave the directive on Wednesday during the swearing-in and inauguration of newly appointed cabinet advisers, Permanent Secretaries and other government officials at the Government House, Lafia.
The governor said he was informed that hospital equipment donated to the facility by the member representing Umuahia-Ugya Constituency in the Nasarawa State House of Assembly, Ibrahim Sa’at Abdullahi, had allegedly been sold by the hospital management.
Items reportedly disposed of included mattresses, ceiling fans, standing fans and other equipment meant to improve healthcare delivery at the facility.
Sule expressed outrage over the alleged action, describing it as unacceptable and a serious act of misconduct, particularly because the items were provided to improve conditions for patients.
According to the governor, the lawmaker recently returned to the hospital and discovered that the donated equipment had allegedly been sold.
“Few days back, he returned there and discovered that the officials of the hospital had actually sold those items.
“This is a terrible thing that will happen if you have people who do not mean well for Nasarawa State,” Sule said.
The governor disclosed that he had already directed the Commissioner for Health to commence an investigation and take action against those found responsible.
“I have already instructed the Commissioner of Health to investigate and fire the hell out of all those people who are responsible for this, quickly to take them and prosecute them,” he said.
Sule described the alleged conduct as an extreme form of corruption, saying it demonstrated a lack of concern for sick people who depended on the facility for medical care.
“Because their own corruption is of the highest limit. It’s a corruption of lack of sympathy and lack of consideration even for people who are sick,” he said.
The governor demanded a report from the Commissioner of Health by the end of the week, stressing that the matter would not be swept under the carpet.
Sule also charged the newly inaugurated government officials to uphold integrity, transparency and accountability in the discharge of their responsibilities.
“You must uphold the principles of fairness, transparency, professionalism, and accountability in all your deliberations,” he advised.
He warned that public officers must place the interest of the people above personal interests and ensure that government resources were used for the purposes for which they were provided.
