The Sokoto State House of Assembly on Tuesday summoned the state Commissioner for Health, Asabe Balarabe, to appear before its committee next Tuesday after failure to honour previous invitations.

The Chairman, House Committee on Health, Kabiru Dauda (APC-Gada East), announced the resolution after the committee’s meeting with the contractor handling the construction of Premier Hospital Binji and the Chief Medical Director of Orthopaedic Hospital Wamakko.

The committee had summoned these officials after identifying irregularities during its oversight visit on May 7.

Mr Dauda expressed disappointment that in spite of two invitations by the committee, the commissioner did not respond in writing or send any representative.

“As lawmakers, we are committed to ensuring the best for our people and protecting the government. Disregarding our invitation is a violation of legislative empowerment and the rule of law. Consequently, the committee ordered the commissioner to appear at the assembly on May 21, at 12:00 pm without fail,” he started.

Regarding the Premier Hospital in Binji, situated in the headquarters of Binji Local Government Area of the state, Mr Dauda expressed the committee’s total rejection of the project’s execution.

He highlighted discrepancies in quality compared to a similar project in Tambuwal LGA despite the fact that both contractors received a 30 per cent down payment.

Mr Dauda lamented the poor quality of work and directed the contractor to return to the site promptly and rectify the deficiencies.

Similarly, concerning the Wamakko Orthopaedic Hospital in Wamakko LGA, the committee resolved to investigate the circumstances surrounding the missing medical equipment from the newly-constructed sections of the facility.

The chairman expressed concern over how unauthorised individuals accessed the hospital and stole vital facilities intended for the benefit of the people of the state and beyond.

(NAN)