The Ebonyi State Government has uncovered an illicit operation involving the unauthorized sale and diversion of official health ministry materials, leading to the arrest of six individuals including Ndukwe Ayansi.
Governor Francis Nwifuru personally intercepted the illegal activity while conducting a routine project inspection in the state capital.
According to a statement released on Sunday by the Governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Monday Uzor, the governor discovered a Toyota Dyana truck being loaded with ministry materials at the health facility’s warehouse.
“The governor drove in and made inquiries but not satisfied with answers, he probed further and discovered that patients’ data registers, cards and a host of other documents were moved into the vehicle,” Uzor explained.
Upon investigation, it was revealed that the suspects had been selling official documents without government authorization.
The Explainer gathered that the materials were intended for distribution to healthcare facilities across the state, particularly in rural areas where such resources are in high demand.
Governor Nwifuru expressed deep concern over the incident, describing it as a direct sabotage of his administration’s efforts to strengthen the state’s healthcare system.
“I have not been in office for almost two years but I have spent more than N6 billion buying equipment for the primary health care centres and the general hospitals,” the governor stated.
“Our hospitals in the rural areas are requesting registers and data entry forms and hospital cards. Sadly, the ones the government has produced are being sold by you,” Governor Nwifuru lamented while addressing the situation at the scene.
The Explainer learned the suspects have been handed over to law enforcement authorities for further investigation and possible prosecution.
