Rivers Assembly Probes Govt Funds Released To Pamo University

The Rivers State House of Assembly has launched an inquiry into funds released by the state government to the Pamo University of Medical Sciences (PUMS), Port Harcourt, since the institution was established in 2017.

The House, in a statement signed the chairman of Information Committee, Hon. Enemi George, said the investigation was ordered by the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt. Martin Amaewhule.

It said a seven-member committee headed by the Deputy Speaker of the Assembly, Rt. Hon. Dumle Maol, has been constituted to carry out the inquiry and report back to the House.

The statement said the probe was in line with Section 128 of the 1999 Constitution as amended.

The statement is titled, “Rivers State House of Assembly Ad-Hoc Committee to Conduct an Inquiry Into Rivers State Government’s Disbursement of Funds to PAMO University of Medical Sciences (PUMS).”

It said the probe will determine how much money the Rivers State government has provided to the institution and whether the funds were properly used for their intended purposes.

The statement further said the investigation will also establish the number and identities of beneficiaries of the University’s scholarship scheme if any, among other issues.

The House said the committee is expected to submit its report to the House on or before September 30, 2026.

The statement read in part, “In line with section 128 of the 1999 Constitution as amended, the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Martin Chike Amaewhule has constituted an Ad-Hoc Committee to conduct an inquiry into Rivers State Government’s disbursement of funds to PAMO University of Medical Sciences (PUMS).

“The committee has been mandated to unravel how much funds the University has received from the Rivers State Government since inception in 2017; determine whether such funds were adequately utilized for purposes they were meant for and ascertain the number as well as identities of all scholarship scheme beneficiaries if any, amongst other things.

“Members of the Ad-hoc Committee are Rt. Hon. Dumle Maol – Chairman, Hon. Silvanus Nwankwo , Member, Hon. Lemchi Nyeche , Member, Hon. Henrietta Loolo, Member, Hon. Peter Abbey , member, Hon. Napoleon Ukalikpe, member and Hon. Emilia Amadi, member.

“This Ad-hoc committee is expected to submit its report on or before the 30th of September 2026 to the House.”

The investigation comes on the heels of the Assembly’s decision not to approve the N6 billion allocated to the University in the 2026 state budget.

The PAMO University of Medical Sciences was founded by former Rivers State governor, Dr Peter Odili, who is also the Pro-Chancellor of the institution.