Lawmakers Ask Federal Ministry of Trade and Investment To Refund N75 Billion COVID-19 Funds

The House of Representatives Committee on Public Accounts asked the Federal Ministry of Trade and Investment to refund N75 billion COVID-19 intervention fund.

During a public hearing on COVID-19 funds held in Abuja on Thursday, the resolution followed a motion introduced by Bassey Akiba, who is a Labor Party member from Cross River State.

Akiba noted that despite the committee's request to the ministry to attend and clarify the usage of COVID funds thrice, they have refused to appear till now.

"It therefore means that the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment does not have any explanation as to how this money was used," he said, Premium Times reported.

The chairman of the committee Bamidele Salam, who represents Osun state for the Peoples Democratic Party, said in his ruling that the committee activities are backed by the Constitution, Standing Rules of the House and other relevant laws.

"The former Permanent Secretary and the current Permanent Secretary are affected by this motion to refund the sum of N75bn back to the Federal Government as COVID-19 intervention funds which as far as we are concerned, has not been expended," Salam said.

The Federal Ministry of Health Permanent Secretary Daju Kachallom informed the committee that the COVID-19 funds were domiciled with the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation.

The committee asked to return the money, noting that the ministry can reapply to the National Assembly for the money whenever required.

Salam explained that the motion affects all the permanent secretaries who have served in the ministry since 2019.

Furthermore, the committee asked the Federal Ministry of Health to refund N10 billion, which were allotted for COVID-19 vaccine production, to government coffers as the ministry is yet to utilize the funds.

Meanwhile, the Nigerian Rural Electrification Agency has been directed to submit documents regarding its expenditure of over N12 billion in COVID-19 intervention funds.

Salihijo Ahmed, Director General of the Rural Electrification Agency, which is scheduled to appear before the committee on Jan. 22, sought more time from the lawmakers to submit relevant documents.

The committee had invited 59 Ministries, Departments and Agencies to commence an investigative hearing on the alleged mismanagement of the funds meant to tackle the COViD-19 pandemic.