•Heavy police presence at agency’s office
Minister of Health Prof. Isaac Adewole has approved the suspension of more officials of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) to pave the way for thorough investigation.
NHIS Acting Executive Secretary Attahiru Ibrahim has been directed to ensure the immediate implementation of the suspension order.
Director, Media and Public Relations of the ministry Boade Akinola announced the action in a statement yesterday.
The minister had earlier suspended the Executive Secretary of NHIS, Prof. Usman Yusuf, for three months.
According to the statement, the suspension is in furtherance of the desire of government to have an uninterrupted and robust investigation into petitions at the NHIS.
The officials suspended yesterday are Mr. Olufemi Akingbade, General Manager, Zonal Coordinator, (South-South Zone) and Mr. John Okon, General Manager (Finance Account).
Others are Mr. Yusuf Fatik, General Manager (Human Resources and Administration); Mr. Shehu Adamu, Assistant General Manager (Audit); Mr. Vincent Mamdam, Assistant General Manager/Head (Insurance) and Mr. Safiyanu Attah, Senior Assistant Officer (Marketing); Mr. Owen Udo Udoma, Senior Manager (Contribution Management) and Mr. Innocent Abbah, Senior Assistant Officer (Planning Research and Monitoring).
Akinola quoted the minister as urging the 13-member investigative panel of inquiry into reports on maladministration and mismanagement by officials of the agency to remain focused, fair and transparent in the discharge of its task despite the sensation the development had generated.
But, NHIS workers were yesterday morning welcomed to the Abuja headquarters office by heavy police presence.
The presence of the police personnel may not be unconnected with the vow of the suspended NHIS Executive Secretary to resume work.
Yusuf last week rejected his suspension, saying that it was only the president that can remove him from office.
He promised to report for work yesterday.
He, however, failed to turn up.