The House of Representatives on Tuesday unveiled plans to investigate the utilisation of the N100 billion COVID-19 intervention fund approved by the Federal Government for various Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) between 2020 and 2022.
The resolution was passed sequel to the adoption of a motion on the ‘Alleged mismanagement of COVID-19 intervention funds from 2020 to 2022’ sponsored by Hon. Nyampa Dauda Zakari.
While underscoring the role of the National Assembly in exposing corruption in the utilisation of public funds, Hon. Zakari expressed concern over the impacts of COVID-19 which broke out as a major pandemic in 2019 affecting families, businesses and economies of the nations of the world.
“The House is also aware that the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in the loss of lives, jobs and economic opportunities for millions of homes in different parts of the world including Nigeria.
“The House notes that the COVID–19 pandemic disrupted economic activities, leading to global measures such as lockdowns, travel restrictions, business closures, and government shutdowns to control the virus’s spread.
“The House is cognizant that the disruption of economic activities necessitated the introduction of various programs, policies, and interventions to alleviate and boost the economies of families, small businesses, and public corporations.
“The House is mindful that the Federal Government of Nigeria initiated several measures including budgetary provisions as well as funding from International donor agencies to combat the COVID-19 pandemic on the citizens.
“The House is also aware that a sum of N83.9 billion was appropriated for the COVID-19 response in the 2020 Appropriation Act as well as another sum of over N100 billion as intervention funds through supplementary budget and international donor agencies.
“The House is disturbed that the Auditor-General’s report and other sources reveal that significant funds for COVID-19 palliatives and international donations were diverted and unaccounted for by various Ministries, Departments and Agencies of Government.
“The House is concerned that the lack of proper accountability of funds allocated for COVID-19 intervention by the Federal Government and global donor agencies could potentially lead to negative economic ratings and loss of opportunities for Nigeria,” Zakari noted.
In his contribution, Hon. Ahmed Jaha who commended the spirit of the motion, lamented that the amount expended in combatting COVID-19 in Nigeria was humongous and could have easily done much more for each local government in Nigeria.
While querying the mismanagement and diversion of funds meant to battle the pandemic for other issues, Hon. Jaha called on the House to investigate the issue thoroughly.
To this end, the House mandated the Public Accounts Committee chaired by Hon. Bamidele Salam (PDP-Osun) to investigate the expenditure of funds appropriated or disbursed as COVID-19 intervention to Ministries, Departments and Agencies of the Federal Government from 2020 to 2022 and report back within four weeks for further legislative action.
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