Senate has uncovered how some officials of Ministry of Health mismanaged over N5.7 billion donor fund from international agencies.
The alleged mismanagement of the fund forced some of the donors to suspend the assistance due to unsatisfactory reports emanating from the Ministry Health agencies.
The mismanagement was uncovered by the Chairman, Senate Public Account Committee, Senator Matthew Urhogbide who expressed dissatisfaction with failure of Permanent Secretary of Ministry of Health and officials to account for the fund.
It was learnt that four invitations had been sent to the Ministry which were not honoured.
One of the donor agencies is Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunisation (GAVI), an international NGO specialising in bringing together public and private sectors with the objective of creating equal access to new and under-used vaccines for children living in the world’s poorest countries.
The revelation was as a result of 2016 Auditor General’s Report which is under consideration.
The Chairman, while reacting to the failure of the Ministry to give account of the money spent, said that the committee is left with no other option but issue warrant of arrest on the Ministry officials to come and give explanation.
He said the Ministry of Health has consistently refused to come and give account before the Committee.
According to him, “We have sent invitations to them to appear with no response from the Ministry; this is very unfortunate.”
The query reads, “First in 2015, by a donor named Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunisation (GAVI), an international NGO specialising in bringing together public and private sectors with the objective of creating equal access to new and under-used vaccine for children living in the world’s poorest countries.
“The NGO, with headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, accused NPHCDA of mis-management of funds released by the organisation and invited my Office to observe the appointment of an audit firm to carry out extended cash programme audit of GAVI funds released to NPHCDA from 2010 to 2015.
Non-adherence to laid down procedures stipulated in Public Procurement Act, 2007, in the procurement of Goods, Services and Works valued at N4,987,958,621.00 (Four billion, nine hundred and eighty-seven million, nine hundred and fifty-eight thousands)
“Expenditures made by the NPHCDA between 1st January, 2010 and 31st March, 2015 amounted to N8,599,291,949.00 (Eight billion, five hundred and ninety-nine million, two hundred and ninety-one thousand, nine hundred and forty-nine naira), out of which N187,725,160.00 was not supported with relevant statutory and third party documents, such as payment vouchers, receipts, invoices, delivery notes, store receipt vouchers, contract completion certificates, etc.
“The sum of N18,804,865.00 was also reported to be ineligible expenditures as it comprised payments to suppliers who did not deliver the procured goods or services as per contract.
“Inadequately supported expenditure amounted to N619,999,383.00 .. This was mostly attributed to photocopied documents, inconsistencies in supporting documents, lack of contracts with suppliers and lack of evidence of delivery for procured goods.”
Follow The Eagle Online Channel on WhatsApp
