The House of Representatives’ Committee on Public Accounts initiated a comprehensive investigation into the alleged mishandling of COVID-19 intervention funds by various Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) of the government.
Prompted by a motion moved by House member Nyampa Zakari in October 2023, which highlighted a mismanagement total of N183.9 billion meant for pandemic relief between 2020 and 2023, the Committee began its inquiry.
Committee Chairman Bamidele Salam set the tone during the inaugural session, cautioning the MDAs that there would be no leeway for time extensions. He emphasized that the Committee, although not targeting specific individuals or groups, would rigorously execute its mandate.
Simultaneously, the Committee called upon the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation to provide competent personnel to support the investigative process.
Several MDAs faced the Committee’s scrutiny, including Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital, Bauchi State; Federal Ministry of Communication, Innovation, and Digital Economy; Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security; Federal Ministry of Water Resources, and the Federal Road Maintenance Agency, among others.
The Chief Medical Director of ATBUTH, Prof Yusuf Jubrin, was directed to reappear on Thursday with comprehensive documentation supporting the funds utilized by the institution during the global pandemic.
Meanwhile, during the Committee’s interrogation of the acting Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Communication, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Mohammed Ibrahim, and the Procurement Officer, Mrs. Margret Ebute, discrepancies were found in the submitted documents. The officials were instructed to furnish relevant documents, including vouchers and evidence of the N3 billion expenditure during that period.
The Committee also expressed disapproval over multiple contracts awarded on the same day and the claim of exclusive service provision rights by certain contractors, which contradicted the Federal Character principle.
