Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has
asked the Federal Government to “publish weekly details of exact funds and
other resources allocated by the authorities and received from the private
sector, as well as details of use and planned use of any such funds and
resources to combat the spread of coronavirus (or COVID-19) in Nigeria.”
SERAP is also asking the Federal Government to: “disclose
information on the exact number of tests that have been carried out for
high-ranking public officials and politicians, the number of any such
high-ranking public officials and politicians now in self-isolation or
quarantine, as well as the exact number of tests that have been carried out for
the country’s poorest and most vulnerable people.”
In two Freedom of Information requests sent to Dr Osagie
Ehanire, Minister of Health and Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu, Director General, Nigeria
Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), SERAP said:
“We are concerned about the lack
of transparency in the use of the funds and resources being mobilised to combat
coronavirus, amid problems accessing the NCDC’s website, and reports that
authorities are prioritising home testing of politicians, with some reportedly
taking multiple tests.”
According to SERAP: “politicians engaging in multiple tests
for coronavirus have in turn slowed the number of tests for the country’s
poorest and most vulnerable people.”
In the FoI requests dated 27 March, 2020 and signed by SERAP
deputy director Kolawole Oluwadare, the organization said: “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: “We urge you to disclose the level of
enforcement for home quarantine system for high-ranking public officials,
politicians and the wealthy, and whether the Ministry of Health and NCDC are
carrying out spot checks to ensure strict compliance by these people.”
The FoI requests read, in part: “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 safe lives. Transparency
and accountability are important to implementing an effective response to
COVID-19 and slowing the spread of the virus in the country.”
“Given the importance of good hygiene like handwashing to
any response to COVID-19, SERAP would like you to disclose details of measures
being put in place by the Ministry of Health, the NCDC and any collaborative
work with the Ministry of Water Resources to provide vulnerable Nigerians with
safe water, sanitation, and hygienic conditions.”
“We are concerned that millions of Nigerians lack access to
an improved water source and to proper sanitation, thereby making them
vulnerable to COVID-19 and other illnesses.”
“Handwashing and social distancing will be very difficult to
implement for the poorest and most vulnerable people in a country where water
shortages are routine and millions continue to drink contaminated water.”
“Limited availability of water in several public hospitals
across the country will also make it difficult for medical workers and health
professionals to wash their hands and will therefore make it difficult for them
to properly respond to COVID-19 and safe lives.”
“We would be grateful if the requested information is
provided to us within 7 days of the receipt and/or publication of this letter.
If we have not heard 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.”
“Any failure or refusal to provide the information requested
will also be clearly inconsistent with the letter and spirit of the Freedom of
Information Act.”
“According to our information, the Nigerian government has
approved a N10 billion (Naira) grant (about $27 million) to fight the spread of
coronavirus in the country. The government has also reportedly released N5
billion (Naira) (about $13 million) special intervention fund to the Nigeria
Center for Disease Control (NCDC).”
“Also, banks, wealthy members of the private sector and
foundations have also donated billions of Naira to help fund medical centers
and provide essential materials necessary to curtail the spread of coronavirus
in the country.”
“By Section 1 (1) of the Freedom of Information (FoI) Act
2011, SERAP is entitled as of right to request for or gain access to
information, including information on the exact amount of funds and resources
meant to combat the spread of coronavirus in Nigeria.”
“By Sections 2(3)(d)(V) & (4) of the FoI Act, there is a
binding legal duty to ensure that documents containing information relating to
the spending and operations to combat the spread of coronavirus in Nigeria are
widely disseminated and made readily available to members of the public through
various means.”
“The information sought, apart from not being exempted from
disclosure under the FoI Act, bothers on an issue of national interest, public
concern, public health, interest of human rights, social justice, good
governance, transparency and accountability.”
SERAP therefore urged the Minister and NCDC director to:
Urgently disclose details of exact funds and resources from
federal government, state governments and the private sector, as well as details
of use and planned use of any such funds and resources to combat the spread of
coronavirus in Nigeria
Disclose information on the exact number of tests that have
been carried out for high-ranking public officials and politicians, the number
of any such high-ranking public officials and politicians now in self-isolation
or quarantine, as well as the exact number of tests that have been carried out
for the country’s poorest and most vulnerable people
Make Nigeria Center for Disease Control (NCDC)’s website functional
and accessible and publish on your website and widely weekly spending on
initiatives such procurement, testing, early detection and isolation of
confirmed cases, follow-up
Disclose processes and procedures put in place to ensure
that the funds and resources allocated to combat COVID-19 are not diverted,
stolen or mismanaged
Disclose measures to protect health workers and to encourage
the country’s poorest and most vulnerable people to come forward for testing
and to escalate testing for this group.
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