BudgIT raises concern over management of COVID-19 Fund in Nigeria, says it lacks 'framework for accountability'
Posted by Ahmed Iyanda | 4 years ago | 1,240 times
BudgIT, a foremost civic-tech organisation leading the advocacy for transparency and accountability in Nigeria, has raised concerns over the management of COVID-19 Fund in Nigeria.
This was contained in a research report on COVID-19 Fund Management titled “COVID-19 Fund: Fiscal Support, Palliative Analysis & Institutional Response.”
BudgIT expressed worry over the poor accountability mechanism in the management of the fund.
"In 2020, the COVID-19 response in Nigeria began with the establishment of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 by President Muhammadu Buhari. Headed by Mr Boss Mustapha, the task force was mandated, alongside other government agencies, to coordinate and oversee Nigeria’s multi-sectoral intergovernmental efforts to contain the virus’ spread in Nigeria. Further, the federal government initiated a process to provide palliative measures including funds disbursements and food items distribution to Nigerians, especially the marginalised and vulnerable.
“For example, as of April 7, 2020, CACOVID, a private coalition of donors and corporate founders, has received donations totalling N21.5bn, according to PROSHARE,” BudgIT said at a Press Conference attended by Western Nigeria Publica, which was held in Lagos
“Suffice it to say that the federal government has disbursed N288bn from the N500bn set aside for COVID-19 intervention programmes through its Economic Sustainability Plan.
“As of the time of our report, comprehensive details of disbursed funds have not been published on the Open Treasury platform. This further establishes our concerns about the lack of a proper framework for COVID-19 fund accountability in Nigeria.”
According to Iyanuoluwa Bolarinwa, Senior Program Officer, BudgIT, she said nothing really much has been done regarding COVID-19 fund accountability in Nigeria, adding that BudgIT is committed to partnering with agencies like the ICPC and others, to ensure a proper framework for probing COVID-19 response issues.
BudgIT said that it reviewed Nigeria’s current fiscal support and institutional response to the pandemic, analysed data on COVID-19 response in Nigeria, including donations, allocations, disbursements and palliative distribution processes at both the national and subnational levels.
In 2020, the COVID-19 response in Nigeria began with the establishment of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 by President Muhammadu Buhari. Headed by Boss Mustapha, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, the task force was mandated, alongside other government agencies, to coordinate and oversee Nigeria’s multi-sectoral intergovernmental efforts to contain the virus’ spread.
BudgIT said the call for an effective framework for COVID-19 transparency and accountability could not have happened at a better time, especially in an environment deeply rooted in a profiteering culture and aversion to openness in the use of public funds.
“Per our findings, the continuous mismanagement of palliative items and funds earmarked for the COVID-19 response has created a wider gap between the rich and the poor where the vulnerable and marginalised are denied access to the palliative items that rightfully belong to them,” the civic organization said.
"Using six states – Niger, Lagos, Kano, Ogun, Enugu and Rivers – as case studies, the research further revealed that many people vehemently disagreed with the government’s method of palliative distribution in their communities as they could not access any of the distributed palliative items, especially to the vulnerable."
Gabriel Okeowo, BudgIT’s Chief Executive Officer said, “Health emergencies are inevitable, and a country must never be caught unawares. An effective response must begin with adequate preparation and resource allocation to the health sector, after which a proper process for monitoring, transparency and accountability should be established.”
The Civic Organization noted that while waiting for responses from the government on the concerns raised, reiterating that government must improve investment in the health sector, ensure the timely release of audited statements on COVID-19 funds, institutionalise access to information to reduce misinformation and prioritise citizen inclusion in committees and decision making process.
