House of Representatives, on Tuesday, mandated its Public Accounts Committee to investigate how the N183.9 billion appropriated or disbursed as COVID-19 intervention funds to Ministries, Departments and Agencies of the Federal Government from 2020 to 2022 was spent.
This followed the adoption of a motion moved by a member, Zakari Dauda Nyampa, during plenary.
The lawmaker while presenting the motion, said 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.
According to him, “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 naira as intervention funds through supplementary budget and international donor agencies.
“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.”
The lawmaker expressed concern that 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.
It adopted the motion and directed its Public Accounts Committee to investigate and report back within four weeks for further legislative action.