Nasarawa State Governor, Abdullahi Sule, has ordered the arrest and prosecution of health workers allegedly involved in the sale of equipment donated to a health facility in Umaisha Development Area.
The governor described the alleged incident as a serious act of misconduct and corruption, saying those responsible would be investigated and brought to justice.
Sule gave the directive on Wednesday during the inauguration of eight commissioners, special advisers, permanent secretaries and board members at the Aliyu Akwe Doma Banquet Hall, Government House, Lafia.
He said he had directed the Commissioner for Health, Dr Gaza Gwamna, to investigate the matter and submit a report by the end of the week.
According to the governor, the equipment was donated by the member representing Umaisha/Ugya Constituency in the Nasarawa State House of Assembly, Ibrahim Abdullahi Sa’ad, who reportedly purchased the items with his personal funds to improve conditions at the health facility.
Sule said the lawmaker had donated mattresses, ceiling fans and standing fans after expressing concern about the welfare of patients at the facility.
However, Sa’ad allegedly discovered during a subsequent visit that some of the donated items could not be accounted for.
“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 said the state government would not tolerate actions capable of undermining efforts to improve healthcare services in Nasarawa.
The development followed a confrontation on Monday between Sa’ad and staff of General Hospital, Umaisha, over the whereabouts of equipment he said he donated to the facility.
In a video that circulated on social media, the lawmaker questioned hospital officials about 50 orthopaedic mattresses, more than 50 ceiling fans and about 40 standing fans he claimed to have purchased for patients.
“Where are the ceiling fans? I bought more than 50 ceiling fans. The standing fans, I bought about 40. Where are they?” Sa’ad was heard asking.
The lawmaker also expressed concern about the condition of patients and demanded explanations regarding reports that some of the donated mattresses were being moved between wards.
Governor Sule urged the newly inaugurated officials to uphold prudence, fairness, transparency, professionalism and accountability in the discharge of their duties.
The state Ministry of Health is expected to investigate the alleged disappearance and sale of the donated items and establish whether any officials were involved in wrongdoing.
