House of reps probes NHIS crisis

The house of representatives has set up a panel to probe the ongoing crisis at the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS).

The agency was thrown into crisis after its governing board suspended Usman Yusuf, executive secretary, over allegations of financial infractions.

Yusuf had maintained innocence and also kicked against his suspension, insisting the board lacked powers to do so.

At plenary on Tuesday, Diri Douye, a lawmaker from Bayelsa state, asked his colleagues to wade into the crisis.

He recalled that the NHIS executive secretary had been suspended last year over similar allegations “but he was surprisingly recalled by the presidency.”

“Our country is becoming a banana republic. Let us investigate this crisis and the operations of the NHIS,” he said.

Some of the lawmakers, however, suggested Yusuf may have been illegally suspended and called for further investigation into the matter.

Edward Pwajok from Plateau state said: “The law provides that Mr. President shall appoint the ES on the advice of the minister of health. It is the person who appoints that can also suspend.”

An ad-hoc committee was subsequently set up to look into the matter and report back to the house in four weeks.