The House of Representatives Committee on Anti-Malaria, HIV/AIDS, and Tuberculosis has issued a 72-hour ultimatum to Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Mohammed Pate, and Permanent Secretary, Daju Kachollom, to appear before it over allegations of misusing $300 million meant to combat malaria since 2021.
Chairman of the Committee, Amobi Ogah, expressed dissatisfaction with the Permanent Secretary’s absence, stating, “Nigeria borrowed $100 million from the Islamic Bank, approved by the National Assembly in 2021. Out of the $100 million, $10 million was granted, and another $200 million borrowed from the World Bank in the same year.”
“The resolution by the National Assembly is that local content must be prioritized to encourage local manufacturers, but the ministry contracted the United Nations Office for Project Services to do the procurement process at a cost of over $3 million for the purchase of anti-malaria commodities,” Ogah added.
He emphasized the urgency of addressing the issue, stating, “Have they used the money? If they have not used the money, where is the money? It is a matter of simple explanation. But they have been running away, calling all manner of people to talk to us.”
Ogah warned against further delay, declaring, “The National Assembly will no longer tolerate the attitude of civil servants taking parliament for a ride. Enough is enough.”
The committee also received a petition accusing the Ministry of Health and the Permanent Secretary of denying indigenous manufacturers of insecticidal nets from participating in procurement contracts. Ogah assured that the National Assembly would intervene to resolve the matter amicably.
