By Tony Obiechina, Abuja
The Accountant-General of the Federation, Ahmed Idris has described the National Health Insurance Scheme NHIS as a public institution that should be subjected to rules of engagement as far as public institution is concerned
He stated this when the management of NHIS led by the Executive Secretary Prof. Mohammed Nasir Sambo paid an advocacy visit to the Treasury House in Abuja.
In a statement by Deputy Director (Press), Mr Henshaw Ogubike on Wednesday, Ahmed congratulated the Executive Secretary of NHIS Prof. Sambo on his appointment and wished him a successful and rancour free tenure.
According to the AGF, the OAGF is the driver of a number of public finance initiatives for the government like the Treasury Single Account, TSA, Government Integrated Financial Management Information System (GIFMIS), a platform for making payment and preparing budget as well as Integrated Personnel Payroll Information System (IPPIS), a platform for paying salaries of Federal Government employees and other reform initiatives.
He advised them to get enrolled into IPPIS soonest as it is the only platform to payroll Federal Government employees.
Furthermore, the AGF said that the OAGF equally services the economy in terms of making releases to the three tiers of Government, namely, Federal, State and Local Government and every other thing that revolves around resources.
The OAGF he noted also pays local debt to contractors and other oversight duties to MDA’s including NHIS, adding that the OAGF is the live wire of the economy because everything involves finances with appropriate approval.
“We will continue to play our role to give you releases as at when due. If there are issues beyond your comprehension, our doors are always open to resolve such issues”, he added.
AGF stated that their investment request should be made known; accommodation in TSA is so robust by working side by side with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and discouraged them from investing in banks for now because of the bank rates.
NHIS issues with Aso Savings and Loan Limited would have been averted if OAGF was carried along in the transactions. Consequently, we need to populate your account department with Treasury of
AGF promised to assist the NHIS to get back their money from Aso Savings and Loans Limited adding that the issues of merger will be looked at to confirm the truth, stating that NHIS should be placed under IPPIS.
Speaking earlier, the Executive Secretary said that thry NHIS is one of the most important agencies providing support to the people in terms of health care.
“In every developmental agenda, global health is important” he stated, hence NHIS is the organ given the responsibility to handle health care in Nigeria” he stated.
*The Accountant-General in a handshake with Executive Secretary of NHIS during the. Advocacy visit to the OAGF.
