A rights group, the Human Rights Monitoring Agenda (HURMA) has assured, Honourable Hamed Salawu, the chairman of Somolu Local Government, Lagos State, of transparency in distribution of N1 million monthly health/medical Intervention Scheme, to the residents of the council.
HURMA’s assurance was contained in a letter to the council chairman popularly called Dullar, which a copy made available to this medium by it’s Executive Director, Comrade Buna Olaitan Isiak, on Wednesday.
HURMA’s letter to the council chairman caption “Commencement of N1M monthly donation for The Human Rights Monitor (HURMA) Solicited Local Government Special Health/Medical Intervention Scheme. Appreciation/Pledge to Build Anti-Corruption Network to Ensure Diligent and Transparent Utilization of Fund”.
The letter jointly signed by Comrade Buna and Barrister
Lekan Alabi, HURMA’s Board Of Trustees’ Chairman reads: “the Human Rights Monitoring Agenda (HURMA Global Resource) wish to hereby appreciate your recent step in kick-starting a regular special health support program with donation of one million naira monthly to assist indigent patients at Shomolu General Hospital, Lagos State. This is in response to the appeal as presented by HURMA’S office.
“The HURMA in its culture of visiting public offices, which include Hospitals; Police Stations; Prison and other detention facilities among others, to assess the people’s plight, in recent time observed that there are some at times seen in General Hospital who are facing challenges of meetings the financial request as demanded by their health conditions. This brought about the request from HURMA for your office to come to the rescue of poor members of Shomolu Community, who are however constrained or restrained from getting appropriate medical care due to their financial incapabilities. This you agreed to and have already Kick-started with a one million naira check presented to Somolu General Hospital management on Friday, September 20, 2024.
“We recognize the above as a landmark of progress which our office has long been agitating for, since the tenure of Lagos First Lady, Dr. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu as the then Medical Director for Somolu General Hospital.
“Charter 2 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as amended, speaks on the Fundamental Objectives and Directive Principles of State Policy (Fundamental Obligation of the Government). Section 17, subsection 3(d) says: The State shall direct its policy towards ensuring that: there are adequate medical and health facilities for all persons.
“Having fulfilled your promise to assist the poor and indigents, it is now our duty to ensure judicious utilization of the money.
“As elaborated in the form presented to your office during the processing period, every beneficiary from the free medical care would fill the form with a relative or neighbor as witness.
“Moreso, the 3 offices involved (Your office through the Supervisor for Health; HURMA office and Somolu General Hospital) will sign the form and as well ascertain cost for each treatment.
“Finally, all beneficiaries would be brought to your office by the end of each month to show appreciation and for checks and balances.
Sir, we see this step of ours as essential to guard against corruption and entrenchment of public trust.
“A national public research has established that while the public often associate corruption with politicians or elected officials, the extent of fraud within the Nigerian civil service system is disheartening. Civil servants, responsible for implementing government policies and delivering public service have on several occasions disappointed Nigerians.
“This prevalence of corruption within the civil service not only undermines the rule of law and democratic governance but also perpetuates a cycle of poverty and underdevelopment.
“Once again, the Human Rights Monitoring Agenda (HURMA) appreciate your leadership style since you have been the Executive Chairman of Somolu Local Government, Lagos State.
“My confidence is hinged as much on your track record from continuous developmental projects as on other qualities that have been driving you in your political career. One of them is the innate courage you possess to take progressive decisions and stand by them and defend them irrespective of who is uncomfortable. Your decision to include the Executive Director of HURMA, Comrade Buna Olaitan Isiak in the Monitoring of the Local Government Palliative Program is rare among others.
“This has brought fairness equity and justice to your door step and our reason for presenting you as a model for other Local Government nationwide to emulate. Thanks for your unflinching support to the human rights cause.”
