Health Minister
Report monitored from the Northeast Regional Headquarter town of Makeni indicates that the Maintenance Officer of the Makeni Government Regional Hospital, Mr. Kabia has allegedly stolen ninety-six (96) solar power batteries procured by the government of Sierra Leone to install in government hospitals and Peripheral Health Units (PHUs) across Bombali district. Investigation conducted revealed that the solar panels have also disappeared at the Makeni
One solar battery costs forty million old leones (Le40M), totaling three billion eight hundred and forty million leones (Le3,840,000,000).
The matter which is being investigated by the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Mena Police Station in Makeni, happened after the Medical Superintendent and Matron caught the Community Health Officer of the Regional Hospital with the six stolen solar panel batteries red handed and reported him to the police. The Maintenance Officer was accused of selling six of the solar panel batteries to the said Community Health Officer of the Makeni Regional Hospital who decided to installed them in his house. Mr. Kabia is also accused of stolen and carted away all the renovated Air Conditioners that were stored inside one container opposite the AAHF Hospital compound.
Investigation conducted revealed that the Maintenance Officer who is presently on the run established a shop inside the facility and even turned the place to a cinema where Hospital workers and other citizens watched football matches in addition to selling drinks with no action taken by the hospital authorities.
Meanwhile, report states that three senior officials of the Hospital including the Community Health Officer, Hospital Secretary and Chief Security are presently detained at the Mena Police Station helping in the investigation.
When contacted to throw light on the issue, the Regional Media Officer, Northeast, Sergeant John Abass Kamara confirmed the report. He said “As I am talking to you, we have three suspects in our custody helping with the investigation.” Sgt. Kamara said the key suspect is on the run and the police is seriously looking for him.
Citizen have called on the Minister of Health, Dr. Austin Demby to take drastic action against anyone found wanting.
