Mohammed Shosanya
The House of Representatives,Tuesday, mandated the Public Accounts Committee to investigate the expenditure of funds appropriated or
disbursement of COVID-19 intervention to Ministries, Departments and Agencies of the Federal Government from 2020 to 2022.
Hon. Nyampa Dauda Zakari,in a motion he moved on the floor of the house, noted that the 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.
According to him,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.
He added:”Concerned that the lack of proper accountability of funds allocated for COVID19 intervention by the lockdowns, travel restrictions, business closures, and government shutdowns to control the virus’s disrupted economic activities, leading to global measures.
He noted that 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.
A member from Borno State Ahmed Jaha, observed that the COVID-19 funds would have improved the health sector of the country if it was properly utilized.
The house hresolved to mandate the Public Accounts Committee 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 one month for further legislative action.
