NEWS
FG Spends N63.8bn in Four Month on COVID-19
The Federal Government has disclosed that a total of N63.8 billion was spent in the fight against the dreaded COVID-19, pandemic attacks between March 1 and June 30, 2020.
The disclosure was contained in an Interim Report of the Special Audit of Federal Government of Nigeria’s Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic for the Period, 1st March to 30th June.
The report, submitted to the Clerk to the National Assembly by the Auditor-General of the Federation, Anthony Ayine.
However, the released fund recorded a shortfall of N20.097 billion from the N83.9 billion proposed by the Presidential Taskforce (PTF) on COVID-19 in its budget.
The report indicates that out of the N63.
8 billion, N22.2 billion was released to the PTF and N24.6 billion was released to Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) from the 2020 Capital budget.Similarly, N17 billion was made available as Federal Governments financial intervention to State Governments on COVID-19 just as N1.9 billion was obtained from public donations into the five dedicated commercial bank accounts and the Treasury Single Account (TSA).
“A total of N83.9 billion was budgeted by the Federal Government for the response to the pandemic and the expected sources to fund this budget were as follows; N16.9 billion from the 2020 Budget, N32.5 billion from the COVID-19 Special Account/Levy and N34.5 billion was to be funded through donations from the public and private sectors”, the report stated.
The report further highlighted other funds mobilized from various sources as at June 30, 2020 to implement COVID-19 intervention activities
“N30.1 billion raised by Coalition against COVID-19 (CACOVID) and is under their direct management. N110.05 billion in cash and in kind was raised by twelve International Development Partners and their intervention efforts are on-going in collaboration with the PTF.
N21 billion was raised by the NNPC and its Oil and Gas Sector partners and is under their direct management”, it stated.
According to the Auditor-General, the interim report covers findings from the audit of transactions amounting to N4.9 billion as at June 30, 2020 (N191 million at the PTF and N4.7 billion at participating agencies).
The Office added that “a breakdown of the Agencies and entities responsible for the transactions is included within the report, and audits of the participating agencies remain ongoing at the time of publishing this interim report”.
The document however revealed gaps in documentation, low utilisation of funds allocated for the containment of COVID-19, no sufficient and appropriate documentary evidence of donations, failure to submit procurement documents for post-review, no sufficient and appropriate documentary approval for funds disbursed, insufficient documentary evidence of expenditure, improper procurement procedures, on-retirement of cash advances, funds utilized on project unrelated to COVID-19 and non-distribution of food items.
The report also indicted the Nigerian Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) for failing to keep proper accounts of financial expenses, donations and other activities amounting to N1.6 billion.
It stated that: “NCDC paid the sum of N19,257,650.74 to some members of staff for the shipment, clearing and distribution of donations received.
The NCDC was unable to account for these items as records showing particulars of donors, nature of items donated, and list of beneficiaries were not presented for audit scrutiny.
“It was observed that the sum of N1,147,891,839.87 was spent by the NCDC on the procurement of various goods and services.
The procurements were not recorded on the Nigeria Open Contracting Portal (NOCOPO). This is contrary to the procurement guidelines issued by the Bureau for Public Procurement (BPP).
“Audit observed that NCDC disbursed a sum of N233,200,000.00 as special allowances to some members of staff from COVID-19 fund without approval of the Head of Service or the National Salaries, Income and Wages Commission.
“Examination of financial records of NCDC showed that the sum of N100,001,970.00 was recorded as expenditure on salaries and allowances for ad-hoc staff.
It was however observed that NCDC could not substantiate this claim with records detailing names of ad-hoc staff, evidence of engagement/appointment nature of services rendered, and amount paid to each of them.
President Bola Tinubu has requested the Senate’s approval for the issuance of a N757 billion Federal Government bond to settle outstanding pension liabilities accrued as of Dec. 2023.Report says that Tinubu made the request in a letter addressed to the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, which was read at plenary on Tuesday.
In the letter, the president stated: “I write to request the approval of the National Assembly for the issuance of a Federal Government of Nigeria bond in the domestic debt market by the Debt Management Office (DMO). ”The bond is intended to settle pension liabilities under the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS) as of Dec. 2023.Tinubu explained that the Pension Reform Act 2014 mandated setting aside five per cent of the nation’s monthly wage bill to clear past pension liabilities before the commencement of the CPS.“However, due to revenue challenges, Nigeria has struggled to comply fully with this provision, leading to an accumulation of pension arrears.“To address this, the government has decided to raise funds by issuing the bond in the domestic debt market.“The Federal Executive Council approved the bond issuance during its meeting on Feb. 4.”The president said the request aligned with Section 44(1)(2) of the Fiscal Responsibility Act 2007, which required National Assembly approval for all new federal government borrowings.He described the proposed bond as a vital investment in human capital development.“It will enable the federal government to meet its obligations under the CPS, restore confidence in the pension industry, and improve retirees’ welfare,” Tinubu said.He added that settling pension arrears would help retirees meet basic needs such as medication, rent, school fees, and other family expenses, thereby improving their health and reducing premature deaths.The president also noted that clearing pension liabilities would boost productivity, improve morale among public servants, and demonstrate the government’s commitment to fulfilling pension obligations.Furthermore, Tinubu said the settlement could stimulate aggregate demand, spur economic growth, and enhance liquidity in the economy.He acknowledged, however, that the bond issuance would increase Nigeria’s public debt stock and raise debt servicing costs.(NAN)
The Enugu State Commissioner for Education, Prof Ndubueze Mbah We will Capture Out-of-school Children in Our Education Programmes – Enugu Govt says the state government will redouble efforts to capture out-of-school children in its programme.
The commissioner gave the assurance on Tuesday in Enugu during the celebration of the 2025 Children’s Day held at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Enugu.
Mbah said that the state was working in collaboration with community and faith- based institutions to ensure that no child was neglected or forgotten.
He encouraged them to be calm as they were not forgotten noting that they would be remembered through inclusive education programmes.
Mbah said that education was their right adding that the present administration was committed to making it a reality for them.
He, however, said that every child irrespective of status, gender, location or ability was valued and their welfare would be taken into consideration.
He said that they deserved to grow in a safe, nurturing environment with opportunities to dream and become successful as this administration would continue to protect their rights, well-being, and empower them through education, healthcare, and innovation.
“As we celebrate international children’s day today, remember that you are the leaders of tomorrow.
“Let your voices be heard, your talents be seen, and your dreams shall come through.
“To our school children, we commend your efforts, resilience, and passion for learning. You are the builders of the Enugu State.
“Government investments in smart schools, teacher training, digital tools, and innovation are for you to be equipped with skills for a future that has already begun,” he said.
In the same vein, the Secretary to Enugu State Government, Prof. Chidiebere Onyia, encouraged every child in the state to remain focused and work hard to attain their desired goal.
Onyia said that with the introduction of Smart Schools in 260 political wards of the state, every child in the state would soon compete with their counterparts globally.
He emphasised that the administration had investment heavily in education sector to ensure that both privileged and non privileged children are equipped with basic skills and knowledge.
The event featured march past by various public and private primary and secondary schools in the state. (NAN)
National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has bursted a fake drug factory in an uncompleted three storey building at Azagba Ogwashi in Aniocha LGA in Delta.The NAFDAC Director, South – East Zone, Dr Martins Iluyomade disclosed this at a press briefing in Asaba on Tuesday.
He said that the agency would consider the option of seizing any building used for illicit drug manufacturing and relabelling of expired drugs. ”I feel very sad for our country, and the kind of things that are playing out.“Only God knows how many people have died from consumption of the illicit drugs produced by these merchants who are looking for money at all cost.” They are perpetrating these heinous crimes using all manners of avenue including inciting the public against what NAFDAC is doing.“They are even using their ill gotten money after killing a lot of people. Nigerians need to be very vigilant.”According to Iluyomade, the prime suspect, one Ekene Igwe, now at large is one of the major traders at Ogbo-Ogu at Bridge Head drug market in Onitsha, Anambra.He said the suspect and his wife, one Blessing Igwe had been together in this illicit drug business.“What these drug merchants have done since they knew that Ogbo- Ogu market is no longer safe for their illicit drug business, they have moved out to neighbouring places like Asaba in uncompleted buildings, relabelling injectable that expired far back seven years ago.“This issue of illicit drug business has been on for several years, and there has not been any solution. This time, NAFDAC is coming forward with solution to make sure that Nigerians are safe, and we are able to safeguard the health of the public,” Iluyomade said.While displaying the drugs, Mr Babatunji Omoyeni, Deputy Director, NAFDAC Investigation and Enforcement, Federal Taskforce, South-South and South-East, said the agency successfully tracked a drug shop at Ogbo-Ogu, where illicit drugs produced are sold to unsuspecting buyers.According to Omoyeni, the seizures at the illicit drug factory included a big drum containing vials soaked in liquid substance and adulterated drugs.“They are rebranding expired drugs including large quantity of chloroquine phosphate 322 mg/5ml, petazine injection 50mg/2ml, gentamycin injection 280mg/2ml and many other contraband injectable with new labelling.”He said the agency recorded the breakthrough following a tip off from concerned members of the publicOmoyeni, said efforts were being intensified to track the prime suspect, adding that his wife has been apprehended and arraigned before a competent court for trial and prosecution over her level of involvement in the illicit drug business.Report says that NAFDAC displayed the fake drugs and printed packs of drugs-injections while journalists were taken to the building housing the fake drug factory in Azagba-Ogwashi in Asaba Capital Territory.According to NAFDAC, the injectables recovered from the three storey building include eight packs of expired chloroquine phosphate which expired August 2018. “35 amps of engometrin that expired in July 2020, 30 amps of petazine, 70 amps of gentamycine, 200 packs of unexpired chloroquine phosphate, 35 amps of engometrin.“Also displayed were 50 amps of promethazine, 3000 amps of unidentified injection wrapped with papers, 1300 printed packs of drugs ( injection), 2 sets of generator and 1 drum containing nails soaked in liquid substances.(NAN)
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