Reps Promise To Look Into How COVID-19 Funds Were Used

The House of Representatives has decided to look into how government Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAS) used the money they received for the COVID-19 initiative.

This came after Rep. Nyampa Zakari (APC- Adamawa)'s motion was approved during Tuesday's plenary.

Zakari, who proposed the resolution, stated that the COVID-19 epidemic was a significant pandemic in 2019 that had an impact on families, businesses, and economies all across the world. 

"Mindful of 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.

"Also aware that a sum of N83.9 nillion 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 the supplementary budget and international donor agencies.

"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 agencies of government.

"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," he said.

According to him, millions of homes around the world, including Nigeria, lost lives, careers, and economic possibilities as a result of the pandemic.

The congressman also pointed out that the epidemic disrupted economic activity, forcing governments and businesses around the world to implement lockdowns, travel bans, business closures, and government shutdowns in order to stop the virus' spread.

According to Zakari, the interruption of economic activity made it necessary to implement a number of programs, policies, and interventions to strengthen the economies of individuals, small enterprises, and public organizations. 

In his contribution, Representative Ahmed Jaha (APC- Borno) said that the money spent for the intervention was sufficient to build conventional hospitals in each of the nation's 360 federal constituencies.

He claimed that some of the money had supposedly been spent on building roads that at the time had nothing to do with preserving human health. 

Rep. Tajudeen Abbas, the Speaker, ordered the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) to look into the expense and submit a report within four weeks in order to prompt more parliamentary action. (NAN)