Africa-Press – Sierra-Leone. The Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Sierra Leone Police at the Mena Police Station in Makeni have reportedly locked down the office of the Makeni Regional Hospital Secretary, Mr. Kabia.
“Out of Bound. Do Not Open,” were the words inscribed on the notice paper posted by the police on the office door of the Hospital Secretary office door mid last week. The decision to close down the office is due to an ongoing investigation into the missing ninety-six (96) solar batteries from the Makeni Regional Hospital.
I was reported by the Future Media Newspaper that the Maintenance Officer of the Hospital, Mr. Kabia has been accused of stealing the said ninety-six (96) solar batteries that were procured by government and development partners to install at the hospital and other Peripheral Health Units (PHUs) across Bombali district.
According to a report, the Medical Superintendent and Matron of the Hospital had caught one Community Health Officer with six stolen solar batteries and they immediately reported him to the police. The Maintenance Officer was accused of selling the six solar batteries to the said Community Health Officer who also works at the Regional Hospital who later installed them in his house.
The report also accused Kabia of carting away all the repaired Air Conditioners that were stored inside one container opposite the AAHF in the Hospital compound. These Air Conditioners were ready for installation at the various Departments within the Hospital.
Investigation conducted revealed that the Maintenance Officer who is presently on the run established a business shop inside the hospital facility by operating a Cinema where staff of the Hospital and other citizens normally 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 who bought the alleged stolen solar batteries, the Hospital Secretary and Chief Security are in detention at the Mena Police Station helping in the investigation.
The Regional Media Officer, Northeast, Sergeant John Abass Kamara confirmed the report when contacted. 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 who happens to be the Maintenance Officer is on the run, adding that they are on the look for him.
Citizen have called on the Minister of Health, Dr. Austin Demby to take drastic action against anyone found wanting. Meanwhile, it was revealed that the cost of one solar battery and the panel is forty million old Leones (Le40M), and the ninety-six batteries and solar panels cost three billion eight hundred and forty million leones (Le3, 840, 000, 000).
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