For the N26 billion said to have been spent on the troubled Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, LAUTECH, Ogbomoso, by Osun State, it has realized N35 billion as profit, the leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Oyo State, has said.
The party’s publicity secretary, Engr. Akeem Olatunji, in a chat with OYOINSIGHT.COM explained that it is gross irresponsibility for Osun to claim what it spent without telling the public what it has made.
“Osun State representatives said their government spent N26 billion on LAUTECH Teaching Hospital at Oshogbo but didn’t tell the public that they realized N35 billion which goes to Osun State government account.
“Whereas Oyo State singlehandedly funded LAUTECH Teaching Hospital at Ogbomoso, more than N26 billion spent so far and yet nobody makes noise about it since the two owner states had agreed to separately fund the Teaching Hospital in their domains.
“Teaching Hospital anywhere in the world is independent of Universities, they run their budget and programmes separately from the University and wholly owned by Ministry of Health.
“The Teaching Hospital was not in existence as at the time LAUTECH was established while law that set up University is independent of law setting up Teaching Hospital.
“Information at our disposal indicates that Osun State APC led government is deliberately feeling unconcerned about the consequences of their action on LAUTECH because they have alternative in Osun State University.
“Surprisingly members of Oyo State APC are working in concert with Osun APC government, not even minding the consequence of their action on the future of the innocent students and staff of LAUTECH.
“College of Medicine is different from Teaching Hospital, the first is not to make profits but to train medical students and staff are paid by the University while the latter render commercial services to the host community or state and generate revenue which goes to the coffers of the host State through the Ministry of Health. Patients of LAUTECH Teaching Hospital in Osogbo pays into Osun State government account with ATM using POS.
“Furthermore, it is instructive to note that the Resolution 43 of the fifth Osun State House of Assembly backed the autonomy of both Teaching Hospitals with each of the two states baring financial obligations of the tertiary health institution residing in their domain.
“Also, LAUTECH Teaching Hospital in Oshogbo has a board with all the board members solely appointed by Osun State government without recourse to Oyo State in the last six years.
“As for Oyo State PDP, LAUTECH must not die and we will continue to support Governor Seyi Makinde on his efforts at securing the future of the younger generations.”
Related
