By Godwin-Maria Utuedoye
Delta State House of Assembly has again assured Deltans of effective legislative oversight that would promote efficient service delivery in the state’s health sector and other government’s institutions and establishments in the state.
Chairman House Committee on Health, Hon Ferguson Onwo, gave the assurance when he led other members of the Committee on oversight visit to the head office of Delta State Drug Revolving Fund, DRF, in Asaba, Oshimili South local government area.
Hon. Onwo who represents Isoko South 2 Constituency in the Assembly, lauded the State Government for successes recorded in its Zero to 5 and Maternal Free Delivery Health programme in the state.
He called for measures that would enhanced the programme in the state, even as he pledged all time support of the State Legislature.
Onwo accompanied by some members of the Committee, including Hon Perkins Umukoro, Festus Utuama and Prince Emeka Osamuta, said regular oversight to government’s establishments by Standing Committees of the Legislature, is key to transparency, accountability and enhanced performance.
He explained that the Constitution of Federal Republic of Nigeria provided for it, saying “it is a constitutional responsibility for Lawmakers to oversight Ministries, Departments and Agencies, MDAs of government”.
Onwo said the visit to the DRF office was to ascertain implementation of its budget as approved by the State Assembly as well as performance ahead of next budget presentation by government and defense by management.
According to him “oversight visit is not to intimidate MDAs”, but to enhance partnership and cordial working relationships with the institutions.
Onwo assured Management of the Delta State Drug Revolving Fund of his led Committee’s support for improved productivity, saying that moving the state’s health sector forward is essential in the MORE Agenda of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori.
The Lawmaker expressed optimism of a speedy response to challenges faced by the establishment, especially in the area of recruitment of manpower and logistics, promising that the Committee would help follow up the issue with relevant stakeholders.
While inspecting the ongoing construction of a new DRF Warehouse, Onwo commended the high quality of work done so far, saying that upon completion it would enhanced storage of drugs.
He commended the management for the neatness of the premises and called for sustenance.
The Permanent Secretary in charge of DRF, Mrs Ifeoma Ndobu, appreciated the visit by members of the Assembly Committee on Health, noting that it was first of such experienced since the DRF was established in the state.
Mrs Ndobu said the Essential Drugs Project was a World Bank Assisted Federal Government of Nigeria Project, secured through World Bank loan and established in strategically selected state in the country.
The Permanent Secretary disclosed that major activities of DRF, include logistics management and effective distribution of pharmaceuticals and medical laboratory equipment to government owned health facilities, including the State Contributory Health Commission, and accredited Primary Healthcare Centers in the state.
She appealed for recruitment of staff and for a legislation that would transform DRF into an agency.