Senate: N5.6bn Donor Agency Funds Mismanaged By Health Ministry Officials
Over N5.7 billion in funds from donor agencies were misappropriated by officials in the Ministry of Health, according to the Senate.
In response to unsatisfactory reports about the Ministry of Health from the agencies, some of the donors have suspended their assistance because of the actions of the ministry officials.
The Senator Matthew Urhoghide-led Senate Committee on Public Accounts had uncovered the mismanagement of donor agencies’ funds based on the 2016 Auditor General’s report currently being considered by the Senate.
Senator Urhoghide, the Chairman of the committee, had expressed his dissatisfaction over the failure of the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health and officials to account for the fund.
According to a source, four invitations had been sent separately to the Ministry’s officials who refused to honour them.
The first letter, which was dated the 1st of February, had stated that the meeting was scheduled for the 8th of February and another meeting was scheduled for March 16 , and this month as well.
One of the donor agencies is Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunisation, GAVI, an international NGO that is specialised 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 worlds poorest countries.
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As he reacted to the failure of the Ministry to give account of the money spent, Senator Urhoghide warned that the Committee was left with no other option than to issue a warrant of arrest on the officials of the Ministry to appear before the committee and give their explanations.
“The Ministry of Health has consistently refused to come and give account before this committee. We have sent invitations to them to appear with no response from the Ministry, this is very unfortunate.”
The query read: “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 worlds poorest countries. The NGO, with headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, accused NPHCDA of mismanagement 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. Expenditures made by the NPHCDA between 1st January, 2010 and 31st March, 2015 amounted to N8,599,291,949.00 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.”
