News
N7.5bn Budgetary Allocation: Ebonyi Community, Teaching Hospital Bicker Over Petition, Ultimatum to Hospital
OBINNA UCHENDU Abakaliki
The host community of David Umahi Federal University Teaching Hospital, (DUFUTH), Uburu, Ebonyi State and the Management of the Hospital has disagreed over the petitioned written to the Chief Medical Director of the hospital, Professor Agwu Uzoma and the ultimatum to provide relevant documents or face legal action by the community.
The host community in the petition are demanding detailed explanation of the alleged N7.5bn budgetary allocations to the hospital in the last two years and how the funds were spent.
The community stated that the request on how the Budgetary Allocation was spent is part of the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act, 2011 which avails the community the right and opportunity to demand from the hospital’s management the release of a comprehensive records of budgetary allocations, project approvals and implementation details between 2023 and 2025.
The petition addressed to the Chief Medical Director (CMD) of the health institution and signed by the community’s Lawyer, Lucky Ezealor said that the community have continued to expressed concern over the management of public funds and the transparency of project implementation within the teaching hospital.
“The community seeks “full and detailed information, records, and documents” covering allocations for both completed and ongoing projects including those purportedly sited outside the hospital’s premises.
“Among the numerous projects listed are several high-value allocations captured in the hospital’s 2023–2025 budgets, including construction/Provision of Hospital/Health Centres ₦100,000,000 (2023); ₦120,000,000 (2024), renovation of hospital complex building, ₦100,000,000 (2023); ₦120,000,000 (2024); ₦200,000,000 (2025), Intern Hostels ₦1.45 billion, oxygen Plants ₦291.5 million, Molecular Laboratory Phase I ₦364.3million, newborn intensive care complex, ₦728.7 million, CT Simulator ₦364.3 million.
Others are; solar energy installation ₦220 million, purchase of land for expansion ₦290 million, community outreach programmes across Ebonyi, Benue, Abia, Akwa Ibom, and the South-West region totaling over ₦1.1 billion among others.
The community asked the hospital management to provide names of contractors and contract sums for each project, level of completion and disbursements made to date and physical locations of all projects, including those situated outside Uburu.
Citing Sections 1(1), 2(3), 4, and 7(5) of the FOI Act, the community emphasized that the hospital was legally bound to provide the requested information within seven days or face legal action.
“Any willful refusal, neglect, or failure to comply would constitute a violation of the Act, actionable under Section 20, which empowers citizens to approach the Federal High Court for judicial enforcement and damages”, the community said .
In a swift reacting to the petition, the hospital said it was not a stranger to public scrutiny, stressing that as a public institution, it was natural for various critical stakeholders to take an interest in the hospital’s operations.
The institution frowned at the ultimatum given to the hospital by some locals demanding the release of records of budgetary allocations, project approvals, and implementation details for fiscal years from 2023 to 2025.
The Hospital Public Relations Officer, Agwu Nwogo noted that the ultimatum to also provide documents, covering allocations for both completed and ongoing projects, and the threat to escalate the matter to court and seek judicial enforcement while legitimate in principle, appear to be part of a broader scheme that warrants closer examination.
“As we navigate the intricacies of the enquiry, we wish to inform the concerned individuals that we are carefully processing the request, as some information requested may require inputs and comments of other Ministries, Department and Agencies (MDAs) of the federal government.
“However, the timing and tone of the demand raise eyebrows, coming immediately a neighbouring community within the same local government was pronounced permanent site of the newly established DUFUTH College of Health Technology, a decision opposed within DUFUTH’s host community.
“The Freedom of Information bill, while a legitimate tool for transparency, has been clearly wielded in this instance as a sword seeking to ridicule and disgrace.
“DUFUTH as a parastatal of the Federal Ministry of Health, operates within a defined framework of accountability, with multiple oversight bodies from our supervising ministry, hospital board, internal and external auditors ensuring the integrity of its operations like sentinels guarding the gate of probity.
“The hospital records are an open book. Its tenders board conducts open and transparent bidding processes, advertised publicly in national dailies, with every transaction and decision meticulously documented for scrutiny, and BPP standard followed to the letter. Under the incumbent CMD, transparency is the sole anchor that steadies the ship called DUFUTH”. Ends.
A Police Inspector, Dr. Obodo Paul Ikechukwu, has reportedly died after he was involved in a fatal road accident allegedly involving a police convoy in Enugu State.
The deceased, who hailed from Nkpologu in Enugu State, was serving in the Operations Department of the Enugu State Police Headquarters at the time of the incident.
Details surrounding the circumstances of the accident remain unclear, but sources said the inspector was fatally injured after being struck by a vehicle in a police convoy.
Dr. Obodo, who was also a PhD holder, was described by colleagues and associates as a dedicated officer whose death has come as a shock to members of the police command and his community.
As of the time of filing this report, the Enugu State Police Command had not issued an official statement on the incident, while further details are being awaited.
The Spiritual Director of the Adoration Ministry Enugu, , has offered prayers for , praying for God’s favour, protection, and victory as the state approaches the coming elections.
Speaking during a church gathering, Mbaka declared that Governor Mbah would succeed, expressing confidence that God, whom he said had begun a great work through the governor, would bring it to completion.
“It shall be well with Peter Mbah; may the favour of God be with him. We back him with our prayers. The Adoration family throws our prayers around him, that he will succeed, in the name of Jesus. May God grant him the power of victory at the end of the whole election,” Mbaka said.
The cleric further expressed hope that Mbah’s leadership would bring joy to the Igbo people, the people of Enugu State, and the Church, adding that the Igbo economy could witness greater advancement under his administration.
According to Mbaka, the progress recorded so far gives hope that greater achievements lie ahead, stressing that God would perfect the work already begun.
His remarks come as political activities continue to gather momentum ahead of the forthcoming elections.
ENUGU — Governor Peter Mbah has directed the Enugu State Emergency Management Agency (ESEMA) to provide immediate relief materials and other palliative support to two families displaced by the fire that razed a two-storey building at No. 22 Church Road, Asata, Enugu, on Saturday.
The governor’s directive followed reports by Everydaynewsngr that the inferno destroyed two flats and consumed household property, valuables, and important documents belonging to the affected families, leaving them homeless.
The General Manager of ESEMA is expected to assess the extent of the damage and coordinate the distribution of emergency relief items to ease the hardship faced by the victims while further interventions are considered.
Residents of the area welcomed the governor’s swift response, describing it as a demonstration of compassion and responsible leadership at a difficult time for the affected families.
One of the victims, an employee of a higher institution in Enugu State who is said to be approaching retirement, had lamented that the fire wiped out decades of savings and destroyed all his household belongings, including vital documents and certificates.
No lives were lost in the incident, while the cause of the fire is yet to be determined. Authorities are expected to investigate the circumstances surrounding the outbreak as affected families begin the difficult task of rebuilding their lives.
The state government urged residents to remain safety conscious and report fire emergencies promptly to relevant agencies to minimise damage and loss of property.
By Our Reporter
Stakeholders in Nigeria’s real estate industry, alongside Golden Land Estate Ventures Limited, have called for urgent reforms to strengthen professionalism, transparency, and investor confidence in the sector.
The call was contained in a communiqué issued on Monday in Enugu following the company’s 2026 Mid-Year Seminar/Luncheon, held on Friday, July 3, at Wendy’s Place. The seminar, themed “Next-Level Real Estate Practices,” brought together real estate developers, chief executive officers, realtors, marketers, investors, and other stakeholders from the South-East to examine emerging industry trends, challenges, and practical strategies for sustainable growth.
According to the communiqué, participants unanimously adopted several resolutions after extensive deliberations.
Among the key resolutions was a call for stronger government action against the multiple sale of land. Participants urged the Federal, State, and Local Governments to strengthen land administration policies and impose stringent sanctions on communities and individuals involved in the fraudulent sale of the same parcel of land to multiple buyers.
They noted that such practices continue to erode investor confidence, fuel land-related litigation, and discourage genuine investment in the real estate sector.
The stakeholders also stressed the need to promote professionalism and healthy competition within the industry. They maintained that competition should be driven by integrity, innovation, quality service delivery, and professionalism rather than unhealthy rivalry, misinformation, or actions capable of damaging the reputation of fellow practitioners.
They further encouraged industry leaders to embrace collaboration as a means of promoting collective growth and enhancing public confidence in the sector.
The communiqué also emphasised the importance of honesty and transparency in dealings with clients. Participants urged real estate practitioners to refrain from making false claims, exaggerating property values, misrepresenting estate locations or approvals, or giving unrealistic assurances merely to secure transactions.
They insisted that prospective buyers should be provided with accurate, verifiable, and complete information before making investment decisions.
On service delivery, the seminar called on real estate developers and chief executives to establish effective internal controls to eliminate the overselling or double allocation of plots. Developers were also urged to ensure prompt allocation of purchased lands and timely issuance of all necessary documentation.
According to the communiqué, efficient service delivery is critical to sustaining customer trust and improving the credibility of the industry.
The participants also called on government agencies, industry regulators, professional bodies, community leaders, developers, and practitioners to work together in building a transparent, accountable, and investment-friendly real estate environment that protects property buyers and supports sustainable national development.
Golden Land Estate Ventures Limited reaffirmed its commitment to promoting ethical business practices, professional excellence, continuous capacity development, and responsible real estate investment in Nigeria.
The communiqué was signed by Comrade Damian Ogudike and Mr. Ikechukwu Eze, directors of Golden Land Estate Ventures Limited, on behalf of the company’s board. It was also drafted and endorsed by the seminar’s resource persons, Mrs. Amaka Dim of Exotic Landlady Estate and Miss Blessing Anene of BuildWise Solution Centre Estate.
By Our Correspondent
ENUGU — Two families were left homeless on Saturday after a fire destroyed two flats in a two-storey building located at No. 22 Church Road, Asata, in Enugu metropolis.
The fire, which started at about 10 a.m., reportedly broke out after the occupants of the affected upper-floor flats had left for their daily activities.
Although the cause of the fire was yet to be ascertained as of the time of filing this report, eyewitness Tony Iroji said the inferno completely destroyed household items and other valuables in the affected apartments.
One of the victims, who returned home while the building was engulfed in flames, reportedly collapsed after seeing the extent of the damage. He was revived by sympathisers at the scene.
The victim, said to be an employee of one of the higher institutions in Enugu State and nearing retirement, lamented that years of hard work had been wiped out by the incident.
According to him, the fire destroyed all his household property, including important documents and certificates, leaving him with no option but to relocate his family to his ancestral home.
“All I have worked for all these years is gone,” he said in tears.
No life was lost in the incident, but residents appealed to the Enugu State Government, emergency management agencies and public-spirited individuals to come to the aid of the affected families, even as they urged the authorities to investigate the cause of the fire.
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