Niger State House Committee on Health Engages Directors of Primary Health Care Centres Across 25 LGAs
The Niger State House Standing Committee on Health, Nutrition, and Primary Health Care has commenced an interactive session with the Directors of Primary Health Care Centres (PHCs) from the 25 Local Government Areas of Niger State. The engagement took place at the Assembly Complex in Minna, the State capital.
During the meeting, the Chairman of the Committee and Member representing Paikoro Constituency, Hon. Pharm. Umar Nasir, explained that this exercise is a continuation of a similar interaction held a few months earlier. He recalled that several recommendations were made during the previous meeting and emphasised that the current session aims to follow up on those resolutions.
According to Hon. Nasir, the Committee remains committed to ongoing engagement with the PHC Directors to ensure accountability and effective service delivery. He noted that while some of the previous participants have since been reassigned, the Committee is determined to maintain this regular interface for consistency and transparency.
The Chairman also revealed that the Committee has received numerous correspondence and observations regarding the activities of PHCs across the State.
He expressed concern that, despite earlier recommendations, some challenges appear to have worsened rather than improved.
To address these issues, Hon. Nasir disclosed that the Committee has engaged an independent professional to review all relevant documents submitted by the PHC Directors.
He clarified that the aim is not to witch-hunt anyone but to ensure proper record-keeping and transparency.
The documents under review include:
– Budget performance reports of PHCs
– Bank statements of financial transactions
– Receipts covering November 2024 to date
– Pictorial evidence of ongoing or completed projects
– Records of interventions from development partners
– Comprehensive lists of NI-CARE enrollees
– Minutes of community meetings
As part of the ongoing engagement, the Committee interacted with the Directors of PHCs from Lavun, Edati, Munya, Katcha, Paikoro, Mokwa, and Wushishi Local Government Areas, where various reports and observations were discussed in detail.
In their separate remarks, the Vice Chairman of the Committee, Hon. Zakari Ndagi Kinbokun, Hon. Mohammed Abubakar Ustaz (Chanchaga), and Hon. Ahmed Mohammed (Edati) reiterated that the interface is part of the Committee’s constitutional duty to ensure that government activities are conducted correctly and that records are accurately maintained.
Representing the Permanent Secretary of the Niger State Ministry of Primary Health Care, Dr Jinaidu Inuwa (Director, Planning), alongside the Chairman of the Directors’ Forum and Director of PHC, Munya Local Government Area, Mr David D. Barde, both commended the Committee’s efforts to strengthen documentation and accountability in the health sector. They assured the Committee of their full cooperation and support in achieving the set goals.
