Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has expressed deep concerns over the transparency and accountability of the $1.07 billion earmarked for Nigeria’s health sector in the 2025 budget, warning that the funds must not disappear under dubious circumstances.
In a statement issued in Abuja on Sunday, Atiku cautioned against a repeat of past incidents where public funds were allegedly swallowed by animals – including snakes, monkeys, and termites – without consequences. He called for stringent oversight mechanisms to ensure that every kobo allocated for healthcare is effectively utilized.
“At a time when our healthcare system is struggling due to dwindling resources and the withdrawal of critical foreign support, it is imperative that the government provides full details of how it plans to spend over $1 billion in the primary health sector,” Atiku said.
The presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2023 election questioned the government’s failure to outline a concrete plan for utilizing the funds, particularly since a significant portion was reportedly sourced from foreign loans and international donor agencies.
“Nigerians deserve to know the specifics of these loans, their repayment terms, and how exactly the government intends to use the money. It is immoral to allocate such a huge amount without a clear roadmap,” he stated.
Atiku also criticised the lack of physical infrastructure projects tied to the budgeted funds, calling it a red flag for potential mismanagement.
“The government says the money will be used to improve governance in healthcare, recruit and train healthcare workers, and enhance primary healthcare services. However, without a robust tracking system, this could become another avenue for fraud,” he warned.
He further lambasted the administration for its poor handling of the health sector, particularly the state of tertiary hospitals, which, he said, continue to suffer from underfunding and a lack of basic amenities like a steady power supply.
“The Tinubu administration has consistently misled Nigerians about supposed improvements in the health sector, yet our teaching hospitals remain in a deplorable condition,” Atiku said.
He also linked the budgetary allocation to Nigeria’s recent loss of American aid for HIV/AIDS treatment, accusing the government of a hasty and inadequate response.
“If the Tinubu administration was truly committed to prioritizing public health, it would provide a detailed strategy on how the $1.07 billion will be spent to combat diseases such as malaria, tuberculosis, and HIV/AIDS. Instead, what we got was a mere N5 billion as a reactionary measure to the U.S. aid withdrawal,” he added.
Atiku warned that if the government fails to subject the budgetary provision to thorough scrutiny and oversight by the National Assembly, it could signal yet another instance of financial misappropriation under the guise of public interest.
“The Nigerian people cannot afford to accept vague explanations on such a critical budgetary allocation. Without proper transparency, this could be another episode of fraud masquerading as governance,” he concluded.
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