By Nkechinyere Ewa
The host community of the David Umahi Federal University Teaching Hospital (DUFUTH), Uburu, Ebonyi State, has petitioned the Chief Medical Director (CMD), Professor Agwu Uzoma, seeking a detailed account of how the hospital allegedly utilized N7.5 billion budgetary allocations within the past two years.
In a petition issued through their lawyer, Lucky Ezealor, the community invoked the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act, 2011, to demand a breakdown of all funds released to the institution between 2023 and 2025.
The letter requested that the management provide full disclosure of budgetary allocations, project approvals, contractors, and levels of implementation for both completed and ongoing projects including those reportedly executed outside Uburu.
Some of the listed projects include the construction and renovation of hospital buildings, Intern hostels (₦1.45 billion), oxygen plants (₦291.5 million), Molecular Laboratory Phase I (₦364.3 million), newborn intensive care complex (₦728.7 million), CT simulator (₦364.3 million), solar power installations (₦220 million), and community outreach programmes in five states valued at over ₦1.1 billion.
The community insisted that the CMD release all relevant documents, names of contractors, contract sums, and disbursement records within seven days, citing Sections 1, 2, 4, and 7 of the FOI Act. It warned that failure to comply would lead to legal action in line with Section 20 of the law.
Responding to the development, the hospital’s Public Relations Officer, Agwu Nwogo, said DUFUTH was open to scrutiny as a public institution, stressing that its operations follow strict accountability standards under the Federal Ministry of Health.
He, however, described the timing and tone of the demand as “suspicious,” noting that it coincided with the recent decision to locate the permanent site of the DUFUTH College of Health Technology in a neighbouring community a move that had sparked discontent among Uburu residents.
“The FOI request, while legitimate in principle, appears to be part of a broader scheme that warrants closer examination,” the hospital said. “DUFUTH operates transparently, with open bidding processes publicly advertised and audited in line with Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) standards.”
The management assured that the petition was being processed, noting that some of the requested information might require input from other federal ministries and agencies.