The House of Representatives has announced plans to audit the 2023 and 2024 expenditures of the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH) and review its 2025 budget projections.
Chairman of the House Committee on Public Health Institutions, Patrick Umo, disclosed this on Tuesday during an oversight visit to the hospital in Benin. He was accompanied by Billy Osawaru, who represents Orhionmwon/Uhunmwode Federal Constituency.
Umo explained that the exercise was not a witch-hunt but part of the committee’s constitutional mandate to promote accountability and transparency in public health institutions.
“We have examined the books and documents presented to the committee, though some of them are not as accurate as expected,” he said.
The committee chairman expressed concerns over debts linked to UBTH’s drug revolving fund, adding that lawmakers would carry out a thorough evaluation of the hospital’s financial records before making recommendations.
“Documents have been submitted, concerns have been raised, and a motion moved by my colleagues for investigation. The chairman has directed that the hospital must be investigated,” he stated.
According to him, the areas under review will include the drug revolving fund, energy costs, and personnel audits.
“We have our suspicions on the documentation; hence, we are going to look at the books and conduct a proper evaluation and assessment of what was presented. Our report will be released when we sit at an enlarged committee meeting.
We will get back to the hospital to point out areas of weakness and strength, and recommend where improvements are needed,” he said.
Umo stressed that the committee was not out to indict anyone prematurely, noting that the constitution presumes everyone innocent until proven otherwise. Those required to give clarifications, he added, would be contacted by the Clerk of the House, Dr Yahaya Danzaria.
While commending UBTH for its growth into one of the country’s leading tertiary health institutions, he urged the management to step up efforts in infrastructure, emergency response, and its payment systems.
The oversight visit also coincided with the recent assumption of duty by Prof. Idia Ize-Iyamu as the new Chief Medical Director (CMD) of UBTH. She officially took over on August 18, succeeding Prof. Darlington Obaseki, whose eight-year tenure ended on August 17.
Her appointment, approved by the Federal Government, places her at the helm of one of Nigeria’s foremost tertiary hospitals. A professor of Orthodontics and former Provost of the College of Medical Sciences, University of Benin, Ize-Iyamu has pledged to build on her predecessor’s achievements while prioritising patient care, staff welfare, and innovation in medical practice.
