Reps issue 72-hrs ultimatum account for AGF on use of N100bn COVID-19 funds

By Mercy Aikoye

The House of Representatives Wednesday issued 72-hour ultimatum to the Accountant General of the Federation (AGF), Oluwatoyin Madein, to submit detailed report on the utilisation of the N100 billion COVID-19 intervention funds.

Former President, Muhammadu Buhari’s administration had released the said fund to Ministries, Departments and Agencies between 2020 and 2022.

Chairman, House Committee on Public Accounts, Hon. Bamidele Salam, who issued the notice in Abuja, frowned at the AGF’s refusal to comply with the resolution of the Committee to submit report on October 27.

While reading the riot act against the AGF, Salam explained that the House had mandated the Committee to investigate the expenditure incurred under the COVID-19 interventions, especially in the year 2020 and up to 2022.

To this end, he directed the AGF to transmit the report before the close of work on Friday, November 3, 2023.

The House resolution was passed sequel to the adoption of a motion on the alleged mismanagement of COVID-19 intervention fund from 2020 to 2022, approved by federal government for various MDAs during the period.

While leading debate on the motion, Hon. Nyampa Dauda Zakari, underscored the role of the National Assembly in exposing corruption in the utilisation of public funds.

He lamented that the pandemic had resulted in the loss of lives, jobs and economic opportunities for millions of homes in different parts of the world including Nigeria, hence the need to account for the funds.