Nigerian Senate on Tuesday confirmed the appointment of President Buhari’s five nominees for the board of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC).
Their confirmation followed the consideration of a report by the Senate Committee on Anti-Corruption and Financial Crimes, chaired by Senator Suleiman Abdu Kwari.
The board members are Gorge Abang Ekungu from Cross River State who serves as the Secretary of the board; Luqman Muhammed (Edo); Anumba Adaeze (Enugu); Alhaji Kola Raheem Adesina (Kwara); and Alhaji Yahaya Muhammad from Yobe State.
Presenting the report, chairman of the Committee on Anti-Corruption and Financial Crimes, Senator Suleiman Kwari, said the nominees while appearing before the panel for screening, gave in-depth responses to questions posed by members on how they would contribute to achieving the Commission’s mandate.
He added that the committee after scrutinizing the nominees’ credentials, was satisfied that they have the requisite experience, integrity, professional competence and industry to discharge the functions for which they were nominated.
HOSPITAL DEVELOPMENT FUND.
In another development, Senate also on Tuesday passed the Tertiary Hospital Development Fund (Establishment) Bill, 2021 following the consideration of a report by the Committee on Health (Secondary and Tertiary).
Chairman of the committee, Senator Ibrahim Oloriegbe, confirmed that the bill seeks to establish the Tertiary Hospitals Development Fund for the rehabilitation, restoration and consolidation of tertiary healthcare in Nigeria.
He also explained that the piece of legislation also seeks to establish for the Fund, the Governing Board consisting of a Chairman and other representatives as members.
According to the lawmaker, the Fund will provide and maintain infrastructure essential for tertiary healthcare service delivery, health research, staff training and development.
The bill proposes how the funds will be sourced thereby eliminating the burden of financing placed on the federal government”, Oloriegbe said.
Dominica Nwabufo
