By Suleiman Anyalewechi
The House of Representatives on Tuesday, March 19, 2024, resolved to summon the Minister of Health, Dr Tunji Alausa, and the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry to explain the circumstances surrounding the award of contract for the procurement of anti-Malaria drugs and other medical items.
The Summon of the Minister and officials of the Health and Social Welfare Ministry followed an investigative hearing conducted by the House Committee on Aids ,Tuberculosis,and Malaria Control into a petition forwarded by a law Firm- Season Laws on behalf of Rosie Textile Mills Limited against the Ministry ,alleging the exclusion of indigenous manufacturers of insecticidal nets from participating in the bidding process for the procurement of Insecticidal nets and other medical facilities.
Chairman of the House Committee, Hon Amobi Ogah who issued the summon notice said the action of the committee became inevitable following the refusal of the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary to honour three previous invitations .
According to Hon Ogah who is representing Isukwuato/ Umunneochi Federal Constituency of Abia State, all parties involved in the procurement process have been summoned to account for the fund ,which was borrowed from the World Bank and Islamic Bank.
“Nigeria borrowed $100 million from Islamic Bank which was approved by the National Assembly in 2021 . Out of the $100 million ,$ 10 million was a grant and another $ 200 million borrowed from the World Bank in the same year for Impact Project ( Malaria Financing Agreement) making it a total of $300 million .
The resolution of the National Assembly is that Local Content must be prioritized to encourage Local Manufacturers ,but the ministry went ahead to contract UNOPS to handle the procurement exercise at the cost of $ 300 million for the purchase of anti malaria drugs and other medical items .” Hon Ogah stated
The House Committee Chairman noted that instead of appearing before the committee to explain things, the Permanent Secretary resorted to sending people to lobby the members instead.
He regretted that most times ,the civil servants have been frustrating genuine efforts by the government to serve the people .
“This money has been available since 2021. We have been inviting the Permanent Secretary . This is the third time that we are inviting her to come and explain to us what happened .
“Have you used the money ? If they have not used the money ; then where is the money? If you have used the money to buy anti-malaria drugs and other medical items; then where are the drugs and items? It is a matter of simple explanation.
“But they have been running away ,calling on all manner of people to talk to us .But we are here to defend Nigerians . We are elected to represent our people . Nigerians can not continue to die of Malaria even Government has made efforts to see that the eradication of Malaria is achieved by 2030 ” Hon Ogah noted
