The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has launched a probe into COVID-19 intervention funds given to 52 Federal Teaching Hospital and Federal Medical Centres to build build or set up molecular laboratories, Intensive Care Units, Isolation centres and Protdctive Personal Equipment.
The perceived mismanagement of the N950m disbursed to the University of Port Harcourt Tesching Hospital was the trigger for the probe.
Minister of State for Budget and National Planning, Prince Clem Ikanade Agba, who has been monitoring and evaluating the projects under the Economic Sustainability Plan , ESP, had threatened the UniPort Teaching Hospital authorities that he would ask the ICPC and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, to probe the management of the fund.
Agba had expressed disappointment and dissatisfaction with what he saw on ground when he paid an inspection visit to the facilities in Port Harcourt.
In what appears to be a confirmation of fulfilment of the minister’s threat, the ICPC on Tuesday announced that it had begun a probe of the entire projects.
A statement entitled: “Covid-19 Intervention Fund: ICPC Investigates University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, Other Health Institutions,” issued by the Commission has signalled the commencement of the probe.
Read the statement: “The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has commenced an investigation into the utilisation of the N950 million Covid-19 Intervention Fund by the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital and all other Health Institutions that benefited from the Covid-19 Intervention Fund of the Federal Government.
“This follows an alleged violation of the provisions of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.
“An immediate investigation by the Commission into the utilisation of the N950 million intervention fund by the teaching hospital in Port Harcourt has therefore been initiated.
“The Commission has obtained documents from the Federal Ministry of Health, Federal Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning, and the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital that would assist in its investigation of the utilisation of the Covid-19 Intervention Fund by the health institution.
“The Federal Government had approved and released the sum of N950 million each to 52 Federal Teaching Hospitals and Medical Centres under its Economic Sustainability Plan for the building and furnishing of Molecular Laboratories, Isolation Centres, 10 bedded Intensive Care Units (ICU), and procurement of Personnel Protective Equipment.”
The statement was endorsed by ICPC’s spokesperson, Mrs Azuka Ogugua.
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