The House of Representatives has resolved to audit the 2023 and 2024 expenditures of the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH).
The Green Chamber will also review the hospital’s 2025 budget projections.
The Chairman of the House Committee on Public Health Institutions, Patrick Umo, disclosed this on Tuesday in Benin City during an oversight visit to the hospital.
He was accompanied by Billy Osawaru, who represents Orhionmwon/Uhunmwode Federal Constituency.
Umo said the visit was not a witch-hunt but part of the committee’s constitutional mandate to ensure accountability and transparency in public health institutions.
He said: “We have examined the books and documents presented to the committee, though some of them are not as accurate as expected.”
The chairman also raised concerns over debts linked to the hospital’s drug revolving fund, saying the committee would thoroughly evaluate the documents and take necessary actions where required.
“Documents have been submitted, concerns have been raised, and a motion has been moved by my colleagues for investigation, and the chairman has moved that the hospital must be investigated,” he stated.
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The areas, where the lawmaker said the House would beam its searchlight, include the drug revolving fund, energy cost, and personnel audits.
“We have our suspicions about the documentation; hence, we are going to look at the books and conduct a proper evaluation and assessment of what was presented.
“So our report will be out when we sit down at an enlarged committee.
“We will get back to the hospital and tell them areas where they need to improve and show them the areas of weaknesses and strengths,” Umo added.