[File] A health worker administered the AstraZeneca COVID-19 to a man during the flag-off of COVID-19 Mass Vaccination by the Nigerian government in Abuja, Nigeria, on November 19, 2021. (Photo by Kola Sulaimon / AFP)
The House of Representatives has recently mandated its Committee on Public Accounts to investigate the embezzlement of the N183.9 billion COVID-19 intervention funds. Given the disruption of economic, social, political, and cultural activities during the last COVID-19 pandemic, the Federal Government initiated various programmes, policies, and interventions to combat the pandemic, alleviate the suffering of the people, and boost the economies of families, small businesses, and public corporations.
One of such measures was the allocation of well over N183.9 billion as a COVID-19 intervention fund through the Federal Budget. Other international donors also allocated money to the intervention funds. Sadly enough, the funds were mismanaged. The Report of the Auditor-General and other sources reveal that significant funds for COVID-19 palliatives and international donations were diverted and unaccounted for by various ministries, departments, and agencies of the government.
The embezzlement of the N183.9 billion COVID-19 intervention funds is the height of man’s inhumanity to man. It is a crime that cries to the high heavens for justice. Nobody in his or her right senses should embezzle funds set aside for the medical healthcare of the citizenry. We are all members of the same human race. Our humanitarianism proceeds from the recognition that each one of us is concerned about the welfare of our fellow human beings. Therefore, when funds designated for the medical care of our fellow human beings are embezzled, it is evidence of a lack of perception of humanitarian values. During the last COVID-19 pandemic, many Nigerians died in COVID-19 isolation centres across the country due to a lack of oxygen. Others, particularly the elderly, who are vulnerable or in need of critical medical attention, died, for lack of access to ordinary healthcare services.
The most pathetic aspect was that the COVID-19 palliatives supplied by the governments to be freely distributed among hungry Nigerians were diverted and hoarded in private warehouses by some greedy Nigerians for their commercial profiteering. There were also problems with the use of outdated equipment, inadequate staffing, and a lack of necessary supplies of essential drugs, ultimately compromising the care of most COVID-19 patients. Amid these shortages, outdated equipment, and inadequate support due to mismanagement, healthcare workers in the country faced increased stress and burnout.
Mismanagement also led to the progression of diseases, the worsening of health conditions, and, in some cases, loss of life in the country. The country’s healthcare system’s inability to respond to public health emergencies and outbreaks further led to the rapid spread of COVID-19 and reduced the capacity to manage health crises effectively in the country. Many patients and the public lost trust and confidence in the healthcare system and resorted to patronising miracle centres, native doctors, traditional medicine, and herbal practitioners.
There is no doubt that during the COVID-19 pandemic, systemic fraud within the health system undermined the efforts to halt the devastating effects of the disease and the fight against COVID-19 in Nigeria. It is disheartening that while coronavirus was devastating Nigeria, the staggering sum of N183.9 billion in COVID-19 intervention funds was being mismanaged by various government Ministries, Departments, and Agencies at that time.
Therefore, the House of Representatives Committee on Public Accounts should conduct a thorough investigation to unmask those involved in the embezzlement of the COVID-19 Intervention funds. Regrettably, many committees set up in Nigeria to investigate many things do not achieve anything. Their reports, if any, are hardly implemented. Therefore, the House of Representatives Committee on Public Accounts should strive to excel where other committees have failed.
First and foremost, the Committee should define the scope of its investigation. It should develop a structured framework for conducting the investigation, which might include a timeline, key milestones, and a budget. It should clearly articulate the objectives and scope of the investigation, and determine which specific aspects of the COVID-19 fund’s mismanagement are being examined, such as fund allocation, procurement, expenditure, or any other related issues. Thereafter, it should appoint a team of experienced investigators, auditors, forensic accountants, legal experts, and other professionals to carry out diligent investigations.
Upon completion of its investigation, the Committee should promptly submit it to the House of Representatives, alongside its recommendations for corrective action, accountability measures, and steps to bring the accused persons to justice, all the while keeping the public informed about the progress of its investigation, its findings, and the steps to prosecute the accused persons. Transparency is crucial to maintaining public trust. This lack of transparency can hinder cooperation and compliance with public health measures.
Therefore, transparency is critical in ensuring that funds allocated for emergencies like the COVID-19 pandemic are used for their intended purpose and for the benefit of the people. Mismanagement or embezzlement of public funds erodes public trust in the government and can lead to increased scepticism about the allocation and use of public funds.
The Guardian
