Account For Money Spent So Far On COVID-19, SERAP Tells NCDC, Health Ministry

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The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project has given the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and the federal ministry of health a week to publish the weekly details of funds and other resources deployed so far in the fight against the spread of coronavirus in Nigeria.

In two separate Freedom of Information requests sent to the Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire, and Director-General of NCDC, Dr. Chikwe Ihekweazu, SERAP asked the Federal Government to disclose information on the exact number of tests carried out on high-ranking public officials and politicians, statistics of people currently in self-isolation as well as the number of tests done on the generality of Nigerians.

SERAP’s deputy director, Mr. Kolawole Oluwadare, said the non-governmental organisation was concerned about the “lack of transparency” in the use of funds and resources being mobilised to combat coronavirus, amid problems accessing the NCDC’s website.

It also cited alleged reports that “authorities are prioritising home testing of politicians, with some reportedly taking multiple tests.”

Oluwadare recalled that the Federal Government recently approved a N10bn grant (about $27m) to Lagos State and another N5bn (about $13m) special intervention fund to the NCDC to fight the spread of coronavirus in the country.

“SERAP is also aware that banks, wealthy members of the private sector and foundations have donated billions of Naira to help fund medical centres and provide essential materials necessary,” Oluwadare added.

The NGO noted that politicians being accorded multiple tests for the virus had slowed down the number of tests available for the country’s poor, vulnerable people.

“We are concerned that lack of transparency in the use of the funds and resources to combat COVID-19 would lead to diversion or mismanagement of resources, unnecessarily cost lives, and result in serious damage to public health in the country,” SERAP said.

“Transparency and openness in the use of funds and operations of the Ministry of Health and NCDC would help to reduce the risk of corruption or opportunism, build trust and engage Nigerians in the fight against coronavirus as well as save lives.

“We would be grateful if the requested information is provided to us within seven days of the receipt and/or publication of this letter.

“If we don’t hear from you by then, SERAP shall take all appropriate legal actions under the Freedom of Information Act to compel you to comply with our request,” the NGO stated further.