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The Fiscal Responsibility Commission (FRC) has initiated the scrutiny of projects totaling ₦1.096 billion at the Federal Medical Centre Nnewi in Anambra State.
Among the projects meticulously examined are the finalization of the Administrative block, the G.O.P.D Block, the Male Surgical ward, and the Obstetric ward—all situated at the Permanent site.
According to the leader of the verification team from the Fiscal Responsibility Commission in Sout East, Barrister Charles Abana, “the main purpose of the verification exercise is to confirm the existence of the projects, the amount so far expended on the projects and the level of work done at the site to ensure is commiserate with the amount paid.”
A stern reminder was issued regarding the meticulous crafting of an Annual Financial Statement. The FRA, 2007 enforces this as a mandatory obligation for all government MDAs, subjecting non-compliance to legal penalties.
Another reason for embarking on this exercise by the FRC team he continued ´is to verify and ensure that, the budget was derived from the MTEF, which is the basis for the annual budget preparation, as in Section 18 (1) of the Fiscal Responsibility Act (FRA), 2007´.
The FRC team further observed that some of the contracts inspected are time overrun due to insufficient funding.
Also, the team FRC verified all documents relating to how the contracts were awarded and the Audited Financial Accounts of the Centre and advised them to endeavour to remit twenty per cent of their internally generated revenue into the Consolidated Revenue Fund.
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The Chief Medical Director (CMD) Professor Joseph Ugboaja expressed his happiness about the good job that the Fiscal Responsibility Commission is doing with the Fiscal Responsibility Act, 2007, and he described himself as an Apostle of good and transparent governance.
According to the CMD, Federal Medical Centre, Nnewi, “The projects are there, and we have been able to complete some of them, and have started furnishing some of the projects at the new site” He appealed for the release of more funds to enable the complete the projects and relocate to the permanent site.
Professor Ugboaja outlined their vision, aiming not only to improve the Centre but also to broadcast a strong public message affirming the functional efficacy of FMC Nnewi as a vital public institution.
Regarding the remittance of twenty-five per cent of their IGR to the CRF, he deemed it unfeasible, citing the inherent nature of their work as a barrier to its implementation.
Elaborating further, he disclosed ongoing discussions with the Federal government on the matter, while commending the Fiscal Responsibility Commission for persistently ensuring a correct understanding of the situation.
Joining the assembly were key figures such as the Deputy Chief Medical Director, Professor Ogechukwu Ezejioto Nduka, Sunday Okpai, Head of Procurement, Mrs. Victoria, the Special Adviser to the CMD on Finance, Hillary Okechukwu, Head of Department Account, and Engineer Pamela Ohanaja.
