House Drills LUTH CMD Over Discrepancies In REMITA Payments

The House of Representatives Public Accounts Committee has questioned the Chief Medical Director of the Lagos University Teaching Hospital LUTH, Prof. Lanre Adeyemo, over alleged discrepancies in Remita payments totaling over N2 billion.

The committee, led by Chairman Bamidele Salam, also raised concerns about extra-budgetary spending without approval amounting to N150.3 billion.

During an investigative hearing in Lagos State, the committee expressed concern about LUTH’s financial management.

He pledged to ensure that all government agencies comply strictly with budgetary appropriations.

Responding, LUTH CMD, Prof. Adeyemo explained that the hospital is facing some challenges which makes the operation difficult especially power supply issues, which cost the hospital over N181 million monthly until the federal Government’s intervention of 300 solar panels was deployed.

In a related development, the committee also scrutinized the Chief Medical Director of the Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital, Yaba, Dr. Olugbenga Owoeye, over non-remittance of internally generated revenue, extra-budgetary spending, and failure to adhere to financial regulations.

Additionally, the committee criticized the hospital’s employment principle for not reflecting the federal character principle.

The lawmakers requested evidence of approvals, spending, and adherence to financial regulations from both hospitals, expressing dissatisfaction with the explanations provided.

They also demanded records of paid, completed, and ongoing contracts, including a contract sum of N422.3 million and spending of N50.3 million on staff training.

Oduyemi Odumade, Edited By Shakirat Alabi