Reps to investigate suspected exploitation of the N183.9 billion COVID-19 intervention Funds

The Committee on Public Account has been asked by the House of Representatives to investigate allegations of illegal handling of COVID-19 intervention funding.

The ruling resulted from a motion Nyampa Zakari, a PDP member from Adamawa State, made during plenary on Tuesday.

In his motion, Zakari alleged that various ministries and groups had abused the COVID-19 intervention funds during the pandemic.

The legislator stated that the federal budget had more than N183.9 billion set aside for the intervention funds, and that additional overseas donors had also contributed to the fund’s coffers.

 “The disruption of economic activity made it necessary to implement several programmes, laws, and interventions to help families, small enterprises, and public corporations and to strengthen their economies.

“To battle the COVID-19 pandemic on the populace, the Federal Government of Nigeria launched several initiatives, including financial provisions and money from international donor organisations.

“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,” the lawmaker added.

The alleged mishandling, according to Mr. Zakari, was detailed in one of the Auditor General’s reports.

He said that the poor handling would discourage future donations to Nigeria from donor organisations.

“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.

“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.

Speaking in support of the resolution, Borno APC member Ahmed Jaha said that since the House had already been accused of obtaining advantages from the COVID-19 intervention funds, the investigation was crucial.

If each constituency had received N500 million, just think of how many schools would have been constructed, Mr. Jaha stated.

The House gave the committee the go-ahead to investigate the COVID-19 intervention funds given to federal ministries, departments, and agencies between 2020 and 2022 and submit a report for further legislative action within four weeks.

The motion passed the House with a unanimous vote after being put to a vote by Speaker Abbas Tajudeen.