The Chairman, Senate Committee on Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Sen. Dino Melaye, has called for stronger partnership between the executive and the legislature for the development of Nigeria.
He made the call during a Public Hearing on Facilities Concession in the FCT on Thursday in Abuja.
“We must partner to rebuild this country. Corruption is why children are not in schools. Our budget is bogus because of stealing, concession by government if it is not profitable to government and the people must be stopped,” he said.
He noted that the Garki Hospital was concessioned to Nisa Premier Hospital in partnership with Nisa Premier Apeiron Consortium.
“It is pertinent to state that Garki Hospital was built to provide affordable healthcare services for residents of Garki District.
“The aim of providing the facility was defeated as the management of the hospital now charges relatively very high fees on patients due to concession of the hospital.
“The Committee frowns at this misdemeanour, and as representatives of the people, we hold it as a responsibility to care and protect the people’s lives.
“The Karu General Hospital was initially a 222-bed facility built by the FCT Administration.
“It is important to note that 40 per cent of the Hospital is leased to Primus Super Specialty Hospital (an Indian Hospital) for management.
“The hospital commenced operation on April 19,” he said.
Other facilities that was concessioned was the Nicon Luxury Hotel which Melaye said followed the same pattern as the Sheraton Hotel and Towers.
“The hotel was constructed in 1980. The Federal Government, through the Ministry of Finance, owns 92.5 per cent of the shares, Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) owns 4.64 per cent, while NICON Insurance owns 01 per cent.
The remaining shares were distributed accordingly, “he said.
In his submission the Minister of FCT Muhammed Bello said the issues were what he had to contend with when as he came on board.
“The concession of Nicon Luxury Hotel was totally not in the purview of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA).
“For the Karu General Hospital, what we did was to open up the remaining portion of the hospital for outpatient services,” he said.