This was sequel to the discovery of inconsistencies in the FUHSO’s financial records by the committee during a budget oversight meeting.
By Onwuka Mmesoma
365Daily – The House of Representatives Committee on Tertiary Education has directed the management of Federal University of Health Sciences, Otukpo (FUHSO) to reconcile its accounts and return within one month with corrected documents.
This was sequel to the discovery of inconsistencies in the FUHSO’s financial records by the committee during a budget oversight meeting at the National Assembly on Thursday.
Flagging the accounts, Hon. Afam Victor Ogene queried the university’s submissions on revenue, expenditure and other financial record, saying they were too extensive to be resolved during the hearing.
“There are several inconsistencies. I don’t think it is something we can sit here and go through word by word, line by line, item by item,” he said.
He proposed that the university management reviews all documents submitted to the committee, reconcile the inconsistencies identified by lawmakers and address any additional observations that may be communicated through the committee’s clerk.
The committee adopted the motion, giving the institution one month to complete the reconciliation process and resubmit harmonised financial records for further legislative scrutiny.
Earlier, the committee chairman, Hon. Aminu Suleiman, also expressed concern over the university’s compliance with the Federal Character principle, saying the institution’s staff composition did not reflect the constitutional requirement for equitable representation of states.
He urged the management to ensure that future recruitment exercises comply with Section 14(3) of the 1999 Constitution and the Federal Character Commission Act. The chairman further reminded the university that public funds must be managed strictly in line with approved appropriations and other extant financial regulations.
The oversight forms part of the committee’s constitutional responsibility to ensure accountability, transparency and compliance with financial and administrative laws by federal tertiary institutions.