Reps to probe ‘mismanagement’ of COVID intervention funds by MDAs

The house of representatives has resolved to investigate the alleged mismanagement of COVID-19 intervention funds by federal ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs).

The lower legislative chamber passed the resolution during plenary on Tuesday, following the adoption of a motion sponsored by Nyampa Zakari, a lawmaker from Adamawa state.

The federal government had allocated funds to the MDAs in 2020 to tackle the spread of the virus and to cushion the resultant hardship.

The federal government also received intervention funds from international organisations, including the World Bank.

While moving the motion, Zakari said the pandemic disrupted economic activities which necessitated the introduction of various programmes, policies, and interventions to alleviate and boost the economies of families, small businesses, and public corporations.

The legislator told his colleagues that the federal government initiated several measures, including budgetary provisions as well as funding from International donor agencies, to combat the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the citizens.

“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 supplementary budget and international donor agencies,” he said.

The lawmaker said 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 MDAs.

Zakari said “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.

Contributing to the debate, Ahmed Jaha from Borno, said the amount allocated to fight COVID was enough to build standard medical centres in all the federal constituencies in the country.

Supporting the motion, the legislator said the COVID intervention fund was inappropriately utilised by the MDAs and should be subjected to a thorough investigation.

The motion was adopted when it was put to a voice vote by Tajudeen Abbas, speaker of the house.

The house mandated the committee on public accounts to carry out the investigation and report back within four weeks for further legislative action.