ABUJA – The House of Representatives Committee on Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Area Council and Ancillary Services has raised concerns regarding the 2023 budget performance of the Department of Primary Healthcare, FCT Area Council Service Secretariat.

During hearing, the Committee expressed its dissatisfaction with the department’s execution of the allocated budget and the lack of transparency in its financial and operational reporting. The Committee emphasized the importance of accountability in ensuring effective healthcare delivery within the FCT.

In response to the committee’s concerns, a directive was issued to the department, instructing it to reconcile all relevant documents related to the budget within seven days. The Committee also demanded that the agency provide the Clerk with an updated nominal roll, as well as the addresses of all 270 Primary Healthcare Centres across the FCT, to ensure proper oversight and monitoring.

During the Committee’s oversight visit to the FCT Area Council Secretariat in Abuja, Hon. Peter Akpanke, the Deputy Chairman of the Committee, expressed concerns over discrepancies found in the budget document presented by the agency.

“I am not satisfied with your budget performance,” Hon. Akpanke stated. “As a health-focused agency, it is crucial that you take a proactive approach to addressing health-related issues.”

He emphasized that while the agency is requesting additional funding, it must first demonstrate improved performance in order to justify the need for more financial resources.

Speaking further, the Committee stressed the importance of enhancing the welfare packages for corps members posted to the agency, highlighting that this would encourage better performance and morale.

Earlier, Dr. Ruqayya Wamakko, the Executive Secretary of the FCT Primary Healthcare Board, disclosed that the agency’s overhead costs amounted to N4.8 million. She also shared that she had assumed office six months ago and, during this time, had been working diligently to renovate the office, with the goal of creating a more conducive and efficient working environment.

Dr. Wamakko, the Executive Secretary, revealed, “When I assumed office, there was no inventory in the agency.” She further noted that the agency employs approximately 300 staff, with nine management members occupying the current block.

During her remarks, Dr. Wamakko also called for increased funding to bolster the agency’s efforts in community sensitization campaigns, particularly focusing on immunization.

In a separate oversight visit to the Area Council Service Commission, the Committee discovered that the approved budget allocated for the agency had not been directly disbursed to them.

The Committee, expressing its dissatisfaction, has directed the Clerk to formally request an explanation from the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) as to why the approved budget for the agency was not disbursed directly to them.

Earlier, in a presentation before the Committee, Mrs. Eunice Yakubu, Acting Administrative Secretary of the FCT Area Councils Service Commission, alongside other senior staff members, highlighted several challenges faced by the agency.

Mrs. Yakubu revealed that, out of the N250 million allocated for overhead costs, only N240 million was disbursed to the agency.

She further explained that the agency does not receive its budget directly. “We have to apply to the FCDA,” she said.

Regarding recruitment, the Committee observed that the agency had not adhered to the federal character principle.

During further inquiries, the Committee discovered that the last recruitment exercise conducted by the agency took place in 2008.

In addition to this, the Committee conducted oversight visits, including a meeting with the management team of the FCT Area Council Pension Board.

Suleiman Abdulrahman, the Director of the FCT Area Councils Staff Pension Board, outlined the Board’s mandate during the meeting. He also revealed that there are still outstanding payments pending for pensioners.