The Rivers State Government has ordered a full-scale investigation into allegations of extortion, including money-for-marks and the sale of examination papers, at the State College of Medical Sciences in Port Harcourt.
Already, the government has suspended the head of one of the departments linked to the alleged offences, although the specific department was not disclosed.
The State Commissioner for Health, Dr Adaeze Oreh, disclosed this while speaking to journalists in Port Harcourt on Monday.
She also announced that a committee chaired by the Chief Medical Director of the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital had been constituted to thoroughly investigate the allegations.
Oreh said the action followed a series of complaints against the institution, which also included allegations of students being compelled to pay for the approval of project topics.
She stressed that the state government had zero tolerance for corruption in any form.
Oreh said, “This briefing is to demonstrate the firm position of the Rivers State Ministry of Health, and indeed the Rivers State Government, on zero tolerance for corruption in any shape or form.
“Recently, we received several allegations against the Rivers State College of Nursing Sciences, specifically within a department in the college. These allegations border on the extortion of unauthorised payments for project topic approvals, the sale of examination questions and marking schemes, and bribery for guaranteed passes in what should be professional examinations.
“As soon as the Rivers State Ministry of Health was notified of these allegations, the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria and security agencies were also informed.
“We are not taking these allegations lightly and are formally informing the public that an investigative panel has been constituted by the Rivers State Ministry of Health to deeply investigate these allegations.”
She said the investigation panel is chaired by Prof Chizindu Alikor, with other members including Dr Golden Ohonda, Dr Vincent Wachukwu, Dr Mariah Kukurubo and Mrs Sotonye Isokariari, while Mrs Deima Wigbo will serve as secretary.
According to her, the committee has been charged with independently investigating all allegations levelled against the department within the Rivers State College of Nursing Sciences.
Oreh further announced that the implicated official had been suspended.
“The Provost of the College of Nursing Sciences has been informed, and an acting head of department will be appointed in her stead.
“There will be a full forensic audit of the recent Year Two second-semester examinations, and there will be protection for all students who come forward to support the investigative panel as it carries but its assignment,” she said.
She added that a comprehensive review of academic and financial practices within the institution would also be conducted.
Oreh said, “Let me use this opportunity to reiterate that the Rivers State Ministry of Health does not tolerate extortion in any shape or form and will not compromise the integrity of professional examinations meant to equip our healthcare workforce with the skills and experience required to safeguard the health and well-being of our people.
“The allegations have not been taken lightly, hence the probe, so that all guilty parties will be made to answer for these infractions and will be brought to book.”
PUNCH.
