NHIS: PDP Raises Alarm Over APC, Buhari Plot To Loot N25b
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The Peoples Democratic Party [PDP] has raised alarm over perceived fresh plot by the All Progressives Congress [APC]-led Federal Government to loot the sum of N25 billion from the coffers of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS).
Besides the latest expose, PDP cited past revelations of an alleged withdrawal of N10 billion from the same scheme under the watch of President Buhari.
ThisDay had, on April 4, reported that NHIS Executive Secretary, Prof. Usman Yusuf controversially embarked on a decision to invest at least N25 billion of the scheme’s funds in government securities through Cowry Asset Management Limited.
Meanwhile, the Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun and her counterpart in the health ministry, Prof. Isaac Adewole, according to documents seen by ThisDay, both warned against the investment.
The two Ministers warned that it is in violation of the government’s Treasury Single Account (TSA) policy.
The TSA policy requires all federal ministries, departments and agencies to domicile their funds in the TSA with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), except where the agency is granted exemption by the federal government.
Prof. Yusuf, however, has denied the report, saying the health minister gave his approval for the investment to be made.
It could be recalled that Yusuf was suspended by the Health Minister last year over corruption allegations and nepotism but was reinstated by President Muhammadu Buhari without recourse to the minister.
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Speaking at a media briefing organised by the governing council of the scheme, Usman described as false the report.
He said: “no penny of NHIS money was invested in Nigeria, abroad or anywhere under my watch,”
Mr. Yusuf’s was supported by the chairperson of the governing council, Enyantu Ifenne.
Ifenne said the board last week discussed but resolved to put on hold the issue of investment.
