Cyril Hart Calls for PAMO University Cooperation in Fund Probe

Cyril Hart, the member representing Degema/Bonny Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, addressed the ongoing investigation by the Rivers State House of Assembly into PAMO University of Medical Sciences concerning funds released under the state’s scholarship programme. Hart urged the university to cooperate, asserting that its private ownership does not exempt it from scrutiny when public funds are involved.

The Assembly has formed a seven-member ad hoc committee, chaired by Deputy Speaker Dumle Maol, to investigate over N29 billion disbursed to the university since 2017, examining fund utilization and identifying scholarship beneficiaries. Tensions have arisen between the legislature and the university, particularly after the university accused the Assembly of failing to appear before the committee.

Speaker Martin Amaewhule raised concerns about discrepancies in financial documents. Hart emphasized the legislative powers to investigate public resource usage, referencing the Legislative Houses (Powers and Privileges) Act, 2017, and argued that inquiries extend to private institutions when public funds are involved.