The House of Representatives in Nigeria has directed the Committee on Public Account to investigate claims of the improper handling of COVID-19 intervention funding.
According to The PUNCH, the motion for this action was raised during a parliamentary session on Tuesday by a member of the People’s Democratic Party from Adamawa State, Nyampa Zakari.
In his motion, Zakari alleged that various ministries and organizations mishandled the COVID-19 intervention funds during the pandemic.
He noted that the federal budget had allocated over N183.9 billion for the intervention, which was also supported by donations from international donors.
“The disruption of economic activity made it necessary to implement several programs, laws, and interventions to assist families, small enterprises, and public corporations, and strengthen their economies. To combat the COVID-19 pandemic, the Federal Government of Nigeria launched several initiatives, including financial provisions and money from international donor organizations. 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 the supplementary budget and international donor agencies,” explained the lawmaker.
Zakari highlighted that the alleged mismanagement of funds was detailed in one of the Auditor General’s reports, which could potentially deter future donations to Nigeria from donor organizations.
The motion received support from other members, including Ahmed Jaha from the All Progressives Congress representing Borno.
Jaha emphasized the importance of the investigation, considering the House’s responsibility for receiving benefits from the COVID-19 intervention funds.
He further pointed out the potential positive impact on infrastructure development if the funds had been used more effectively.
As a result of the discussions, the House instructed the committee to probe the COVID-19 intervention funds allocated to federal ministries, departments, and agencies between 2020 and 2022.
A report is expected within four weeks for further legislative action.
Also, the resolution was adopted by a unanimous vote following Speaker Abbas Tajudeen’s call for a vote.
