By Ken Afor
Following multiple invitations to the permanent secretaries who served in the Federal Ministry of Trade and Investment since 2019 to explain the unaccounted N75bn COVID-19 intervention fund, the House of Representatives Committee on Public Account has demanded a refund of the money.
The decision was reached in a motion by Mr. Bassey Akiba during a Thursday public hearing on COVID-19 funds.
Despite three letters sent to the ministry requesting their presence and explanation, the committee received no response.
“The Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, have been given the opportunity to appear and explain the usage and application of the sum of N75 billion, and up till now, they have refused to appear.
“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 noted.
Mr. Bamidele Salam, the committee’s Chairman, emphasized that the committee’s actions are constitutionally supported, adhering to the House’s Standing Rules and other relevant legislations. The motion affects all Permanent Secretaries who served in the Ministry of Trade and Investment since 2019.
The committee also mandated the Federal Ministry of Health to reimburse the government treasury with N10 billion, leaving the allocated amount for COVID-19 vaccine production untouched.
Furthermore, the Nigerian Rural Electrification Agency has a 24-hour ultimatum to submit supporting documents for the utilization of over N12 billion in COVID-19 intervention funds. The agency is required to present a comprehensive report on expenses by Monday, January 22.
