By Sadiq Abubakar
Maiduguri
The House of Representatives has said that the criticisms often leveled against the administration of the State House, especially the State House Medical Centre, are unfounded.
Speaking with correspondents after inspecting facilities at the Medical Centre as part of its oversight function, chairman of the House Committee on Special Duties, Rep Nasiru Sani Zangon Daura, who led other members on an oversight function in respect of utilisation of the 2016 appropriation, said the management of the State House should rather be commended for the judicious use of the resources released to them.
“I am happy with what I have seen. The public criticism we keep hearing that there are no drugs in the State House medical centre, there are no this there are no that, despite the fact that it is free service here , things are bound to finish .
“They have to wait for the releases to come before they can replenish. I think it’s a bit under the belt to grab them by the jugular and say they don’t do this or they don’t do that,” he said.
He urged the public to appreciate the fact that the services rendered are free on behalf of the Nigerian people, and “with the resources they have, and the ability to keep the machines running 24/7 with diesel power, that is something to be commended for, they are being prudent and using the meager resources they have to sustain the equipment.”
The lawmaker said he would suggest to the Appropriation Committee to increase the allocation to the State House Medical Centre, having gone round and appreciated what the management is going through.
While receiving the Honourable members, Chief of Staff to the President, Mr. Abba Kyari, commended the lawmakers for performing their responsibility as elected representatives of the people.
He said since the State House was built with public money, and is not a personal property, it is the duty of the lawmakers to ensure that it is properly maintained.
