RVHA Threatens Sanctions On Three Govt-Owned Institutions

The Rivers State House of Assembly, has threatened to invoke provisions of the state laws against the Ignatius Ajuru University, the Port Harcourt Polytechnic and the Rivers State Primary Healthcare Management Board, if they fail to appear before it, to explain alleged fraudulent practices in their institutions.
The Chairman, Public Accounts Committee in the Rivers State House of Assembly, Hon Major Jack, expressed sadness that the three institutions had to turn down an earlier invitation requesting them to appear before the joint committee on finance and public accounts.
“We are not happy with these MDAs because they bluntly refused to appear. Why they do not want to appear, we don’t know. Well, we are saddled with the responsibility by Section 128 and 129 of the 1999 Constitution, if they do not appear, we would invoke these sections to compel them to appear”, he said.
He expressed sadness that the institutions had to send inconsequential representatives before the joint committees, noting that their actions suggest a set of persons intending to showcase fraudulent acts.
Earlier, the Chairman, House Committee on Finance, Hon Edison Ehie, explained that the institutions were invited to give account of their 2017 budget performance, income and expenditure framework.
He expressed satisfaction at the prompt appearance of the management of the Rivers State University led by the Vice Chancellor, Prof Blessing Didia, before the joint committee, noting that the action was quite commendable, while berating others for failing to appear.
In his reaction, the Acting Bursar of the Port Harcourt Polytechnic, Mr Damiebi Jacob, said the non-appearance of the Rector of the institution was not deliberate, explaining that the rector was engaged in some other important issues in the school.

Susan Serekara-Nwikhana