CSOs to NHIS boss: Refusal to obey suspension order, insubordination

By John Oba Abuja

Coalition of Civil Society Groups (CCSG) has lambasted the embattled Executive Secretary, National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), Prof. Yusuf Usman, saying his refusal to obey the suspension handed him as an act of insubordination. Th is is even as it condemned the use of ethnic platforms to intervene on national issue, “especially when it bothers down on corrupt practices.”

Th is was part of decisions taken after it expanded meetings yesterday in Abuja. Th e group, in its communiqué jointly signed by the President, Mr. Etuk Bassey Williams and the secretary, Comrade Abubarkar Ibrahim, said Usman should proceed on the suspension to give room for proper investigation of the allegations. It read in part: “We observe that the trend could escalate into ethnic rivalry and tension, however, we support any objective interrogation on good governance and accountability and hence the issues emanating from the Ministry of Health and NHIS deserve public scrutiny.

“While we as a group are for an egalitarian society and due process and at the same time ensure that the fi ght against corruption must be won, we however condemn in strong terms the fl agrant abuse of privilege through arrogance and disrespect to constituted authority as all are equal before the law and we must ensure we build a strong institution and not personality. It is sacrosanct for all Nigerians to note that a service to a nation of over 180 million citizens is an honour.”

Th e group further stated that since the budget of the NHIS is captured under the annual budget of the Ministry of Health, therefore, it is expected that the minister supervises and interrogates the implementation of the budget. It, therefore, called on the Minister to engage all legal means to prosecute all persons involved in the alleged monumental corruption discovered during the reign of the former NHIS boss. “We, therefore, implore the minister to avail the civil society of his achievements

 

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