The House of Representatives has given a 72-hour ultimatum to the Accountant General of the Federation, Mrs. Oluwatoyin Madein, to submit a comprehensive report on the utilization of the N100 billion in COVID-19 intervention funds released between 2020 and 2022. The ultimatum follows the House’s dissatisfaction with the AGF’s non-compliance with the committee’s resolution to submit the report by October 27, 2023.
Chairman of the House Committee on Public Accounts, Bamidele Salam, expressed disappointment at the AGF’s refusal to furnish the committee with details of the fund allocations. The investigation, mandated by the House, aims to scrutinize expenditures related to COVID-19 interventions, especially in the years 2020–2022.
Salam emphasized the significance of the pending report, stating, “That is a very important document that will guide our proceedings on the investigation the house mandated us to carry out within a timeframe.” The House directed the AGF to deliver the report before the close of work on Friday, November 3, 2023.
The resolution stems from a motion on the ‘Alleged Mismanagement of COVID-19 Intervention Funds from 2020 to 2022,’ which highlighted concerns about the loss of lives, jobs, and economic opportunities during the pandemic. Nyampa Zakari, leading the debate on the motion, underscored the lawmakers’ role in uncovering corruption and expressed distress over the diversion and unaccountability of significant funds allocated for COVID-19 palliatives and international donations by various government agencies. The House is determined to ensure proper accountability to prevent negative economic consequences and the loss of opportunities for Nigeria.
