The federal government has disclosed that it spent
N30.5billion on COVID-19 between 1st April, 2020 and 31st July, 2020.
The Buhari administration stated that this represents 84
percent of the N36.3billon public funds and donations received, leaving the
balance of N5.8billion.
Accountant-General of the Federation, Ahmed Idris, provided
the figures.
The breakdown was contained in response to the Freedom of
Information request sent to him on August 10 by Socio-Economic Rights and
Accountability Project (SERAP) and Connected Development (CODE).
The AGF’s letter was signed by Odanwu Chizoba, an official
in his office.
In their reply, SERAP Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare
and CODE Chief Executive, Hamzat Lawal, said: “We note among others that the
Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 spent N22billion; and 36 states spent
N7billion to support their COVID-19 initiatives.
“We also note that the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) spent
N877million for deployment of assets in support of COVID-19 operations; while
the Nigeria Police spent N500million on personal protective equipment.
N17,865.09 was paid as bank charges.
“It is refreshing to note that 115 ordinary Nigerians
donated between N1 and N100 to support the authorities’ efforts to fight
COVID-19, despite the fact that it is the country’s poorest and most
disadvantaged sectors of the population that continue to bear the brunt of the
COVID-19 pandemic.”
The bodies demanded more specific details and additional
information on the spending of N34.4billion between April and July, and details
on plans to spend the balance of N5.9billion in the COVID-19 Eradication
Support Accounts.
“Of the N36.3billion public funds and donations received,
N1.4billion came from Nigerians and companies through accounts at the First
Bank; Access Bank; GTBank, Zenith, and UBA, while N536million donations were
made through the Central Bank of Nigeria [CBN]. The N536 donations comprise of
N89million and N279million from the Senate and House of Representatives.”
The bodies added that China General Chambers of Commerce in
Nigeria donated N48million, Petroleum Equalization Management Board N50million
and the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board N70million.”
SERAP and CODE gave an ultimatum of 7 days for provision of
the additional details.
They said failure to comply will lead to legal actions under
the Freedom of Information Act and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’
Rights.
Click to view/download the AGF details on COVID-19 spending.
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