Reps Probe Use Of N183.9bn COVID-19 Intervention Funds

House of Representatives has resolved to investigate the alleged mismanagement of N183.9 billion COVID-19 Intervention Funds from 2020 to 2022.

It mandated the Public Accounts Committee to investigate the expenditure of funds appropriated or disbursed as COVID-19 intervention to Federal Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) within the period and report back within weeks for further legislative action.

This followed the adoption of a motion moved by Hon Nyampa Dauda Zakari from Adamawa at plenary, yesterday.

Presenting the motion he recalled that 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 expressed worry that 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 expressed concern that 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.

He said the House was “aware that COVID-19 broke out as a major pandemic in 2019 affecting families, businesses and economies of the nations of the world.

“Also, aware that the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in the loss of lives, jobs and economic opportunities for millions of homes in different parts of the world including Nigeria.

“Notes that the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted economic activities, leading to global measures such as lockdowns, travel restrictions, business closures, and government shutdowns to control the virus’s

spread.

“Cognizant that the disruption of economic activities necessitated the introduction of various programmes, policies, and interventions to alleviate and boost the economies of families, small businesses, and public corporations.

“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,” he said.