House of Reps to look into allegations of improper use of N183.9bn in COVID-19 intervention funding. 

The Committee on Public Account has been instructed by the House of Representatives to investigate allegations of improper COVID-19 intervention funding management.

The directive was the result of a motion made by Adamawa State PDP member Nyampa Zakari on Tuesday during plenary.

In his motion, Zakari asserted that during the epidemic, a number of ministries and organizations misappropriated the funds allocated for COVID-19 assistance.

The lawmaker claimed that more than N183.9 billion had been set aside in the federal budget for the intervention funds, and that additional funds had been contributed to the funds by other foreign donors.

“Several programs, legislation, and initiatives were put into place to support families, small businesses, and public corporations and to strengthen their economies as a result of the disruption to economic activity.

“The Federal Government of Nigeria launched a number of steps, including financial provisions and money from international donor organizations, to combat the COVID-19 pandemic on the public.

“The 2020 Appropriations Act allocated a total of N83.9 billion for the COVID-19 response, in addition to an additional amount of over N100 billion as intervention funds through the supplemental budget and international donor agencies,” the congressman continued.

He predicted that donor organizations will stop making donations to Nigeria in the future due to the inadequate handling.

Significant monies for COVID-19 palliatives and international donations were diverted and unaccounted for by several Ministries, Departments, and Agencies of Government, according to the Auditor-General’s report and other sources.

According to him, “negative economic ratings and lost opportunities for Nigeria could potentially result from the federal government and international donor agencies’ lack of proper accountability of funds allocated for COVID-19 intervention.”

Speaking in support of the proposal, Borno APC member Ahmed Jaha claimed that since the House has previously been accused of profiting from the COVID-19 intervention funds, the investigation was necessary.

Given N500 million to each constituency, just think of the number of schools that could have been constructed, Mr. Jaha stated.

In order to facilitate further legislative action, the House directed the committee to investigate the COVID-19 intervention funds that were given to federal ministries, departments, and agencies between 2020 and 2022 and to submit a report in four weeks.