The Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Mohammed Pate, and the Permanent Secretary, Daju Kachollom, were given a 72-hour ultimatum by the House of Representatives Committee on Anti-Malaria, HIV/AIDS, and Tuberculosis on Tuesday, 19 March 2024, to appear before it regarding claims of misusing $300 million intended to combat malaria since 2021.

This comes after the committee issued a warning to have Permanent Secretary Kachallom Daju arrested if she disobeys the summons after three attempts to appear before it.

The two are also anticipated to respond to inquiries over claims that they were excluded from the contract for the purchase of the items and other associated goods because they are native producers of insecticidal nets.

The Committee’s Chairman, Amobi Ogah, who represents the Isikwuato/Umuneochi Federal Constituency in Abia State, highlighted the dissatisfaction of his colleagues with the Permanent Secretary’s absence during Tuesday’s reading of the Committee’s Resolutions at the National Assembly.

“Nigeria borrowed $100 million from the Islamic Bank, which the National Assembly approved in 2021,” he declared.

Three hundred million dollars was the entire amount, as of the year the Impact Project (Malaria Financing Agreement) received a grant of $10 million and another $200 million from the World Bank.

Despite the National Assembly’s resolution that local content must be given priority to support local manufacturers,  the Ministry hired the United Nations Office for Project Services to handle the procurement process for the purchase of anti-malaria supplies at a cost exceeding $3 million. 

According to Ogah, who described malaria as an epidemic in Nigeria, “most of the time, the civil servants are our problem” and the Government has always wished to assist the populace. The Anti-malaria fund has been accessible since 2021. The Permanent Secretary has been extended an invitation. We’ve encouraged her to come and tell us what’s happened three times now.

Did they utilize the money, he asked again. Where is the money if it hasn’t been used? It just requires an easy explanation. However, they have been escaping while phoning a variety of people to speak with us. But we’re here to stand up for Nigerians. Our people elected us to represent them. Even though the government has taken all necessary steps to ensure that malaria is eradicated by 2030, Nigerians cannot continue to lose their lives to the disease.

The National Assembly will not put up with the behavior of public servants who try to control the legislature. It’s enough. Our people have chosen us to represent them. We are chosen to speak for and stand up for them. Furthermore, the illness we are discussing has become widespread. If the Permanent Secretary does not respond to the summons, we will not think twice to use our constitutional power to order her arrest.

The lawmaker mentioned that the committee had received a petition a few weeks prior from Seasons Law Firm, representing Rosies Textile Mills Limited. The petition accused the Ministry of Health and the Permanent Secretary of preventing local producers of insecticidal nets from being included in the contract for the purchase of insecticidal nets and related products.

To resolve the matter, Ogah demanded that the parliament step in. “It is evident that the National Assembly must take action on this matter.” To prevent this issue from going to court, we are going to step in. He gave his word that the issue would be settled amicably. “We will mediate and bring the parties involved to a round table.”

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