The House of Representatives has announced plans to conduct a comprehensive audit of the University of Benin Teaching Hospital accounts, focusing on the hospital’s 2023 and 2024 budget expenditures as well as its 2025 financial projections.
Chairman of the House Committee on Public Health Institutions, Patrick Umo, disclosed this on Tuesday in Benin after the committee’s oversight visit to the institution.
Umo was accompanied by Billy Osawaru, a member representing Orhionmwon/Uhunmwonde Federal Constituency.
Umo clarified that the audit was not a witch-hunt but part of the National Assembly’s constitutional duty to ensure accountability.
“Documents have been submitted, concerns have been raised, and a motion was made for investigation, which has been accepted,” he said.
The committee raised concerns about UBTH’s drug revolving fund, energy costs, and personnel expenditures, noting that some documents submitted were “not as accurate as expected.”
Umo said the committee would scrutinise the books before issuing a report, which would highlight areas of weakness and recommendations for improvement.
He stressed that no one would be indicted prematurely, noting that the presumption of innocence must be upheld until the audit is concluded.
While commending UBTH as one of Nigeria’s leading tertiary hospitals, Umo urged its management to improve on infrastructure, emergency response, and payment systems.
He added that individuals requiring further clarification would be invited by the Clerk of the House, Yahaya Danzaria.