Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Mohammed Ali Pate and the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Daju Kachollom are to appear before the House of Representatives over allegations of misappropriation of $300 million provided to tackle malaria since 2021.
The directive was given by the Chairman of the Committee, Rep. Amobi Godwin Oga.
Blocking indigenous manufacturers from getting contract for the procurement of insecticide treated nets and other related products is another allegation that is expected to be responded to by the Minister and Permanent Secretary.
In the words of Committee chairman, the permanent secretary might be arrested as she has failed to honour the Committee’s invitation for three consecutive times.
Speaking, he said “Malaria is now an epidemic in Nigeria. The government has always wanted to help the people but most times the civil servants are our problem. This money has been made available since 2021. We have been inviting the permanent secretary. This is the third time we are inviting her to come and explain to us what has happened.
“Have they used the money? If they have not used the money, where is the money? It is a matter of simple explanation. But they have been running away, calling all manner of people to talk to us. But we are here to defend Nigerians.
“We were elected to represent our people. Nigerians cannot continue to die of malaria, even when government has made every necessary effort to see that eradication is being achieved by 2030.
“The National Assembly will no longer tolerate the attitude of civil servants taking parliament for a ride. Enough is enough. We are elected by our people to represent them. We are elected to talk for them and defend them.
“And we are talking about a disease that has turned to an epidemic. We will not hesitate to invoke our constitutional right to compel the Permanent Secretary be arrested if fails to honour the summons.”
On accusing the Minister and Permanent Secretary of denying local Manufacturers the chance to get contracts, he revealed that the Committee had few weeks ago received a petition from a law firm on behalf of Rosies Textile Mills Limited for denying indigenous manufacturers of insecticide treated nets from participating in the contract for the procurement of the nets and other related products.
