Fidelia Soriwei, Abuja
Nasarawa State Governor, Abdullahi Sule, has ordered an investigation into allegations that mattresses and fans donated to Umaisha General Hospital in Toto Local Government Area were missing and may have been sold by hospital officials.
The directive followed a viral video showing the lawmaker representing Umaisha/Ugya constituency in the Nasarawa State House of Assembly, Sa’ad Abdullahi, questioning hospital staff over the whereabouts of items he donated to the facility.
The items reportedly included 50 orthopaedic mattresses, 50 ceiling fans and 40 standing fans purchased by the lawmaker to support healthcare services at the hospital.
Speaking during the inauguration of newly appointed commissioners, special advisers, permanent secretaries and board members in Lafia on Wednesday, Sule expressed concern over the allegations and said he had requested a report on the matter.
“A very honourable member from Umaisha/Ugya recently bought a lot of mattresses and all kinds of fans, standing fans, ceiling fans, and the rest of that because he was concerned about what his local primary healthcare was undergoing,” the governor said.
He added, “Few days back, he returned there and discovered that the officials of the hospital had actually sold those items. This is a terrible thing that will happen if you have people who do not mean well for Nasarawa State. I am waiting for the honourable commissioner, and I expect that report by the end of this week.”
In the viral video, Abdullahi was seen inspecting the facility and demanding explanations from hospital officials over the missing items.
The lawmaker questioned a doctor and other staff members about the donated mattresses and fans, insisting that the items were purchased with his personal funds to improve conditions for patients.
“I bought them for my people. Where are the ceiling fans? I bought more than 50 ceiling fans, more than 40 standing fans. Where are they?” he asked in the video.
Abdullahi also challenged claims that the mattresses had been distributed across hospital wards, requesting to be shown where they were being used.
According to the video, a hospital staff member later stated that about seven of the 50 mattresses had been temporarily given to discharged patients with an arrangement for their return.
The Nasarawa State Government has yet to release the outcome of the investigation ordered by the governor.
