The House of Representatives Committee on Anti-Malaria, HIV/AIDS and Tuberculosis on Tuesday gave the Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Mohammed Pate, and the Permanent Secretary, Daju Kachollom, a 72-hour ultimatum to appear before it over allegations of misuse of $300m meant to tackle malaria since 2021.
This is just as the committee threatened to order the arrest of the permanent secretary, Kachallom Daju, if she fails to honour the summons, having failed to appear before it after three invitations.
The duo are also expected to answer questions on allegations of denying indigenous manufacturers of insecticidal nets from participating in the contract for the procurement of the items and other related products.
The Chairman of the Committee and member representing Isuikwato/Umuneochi Federal Constituency, Abia State, Amobi Ogah, who read the committee’s resolutions on Tuesday at the National Assembly, expressed the displeasure of his members about the Permanent Secretary’s absence.
He said, “Nigeria borrowed $100m from the Islamic Bank, which was approved by the National Assembly in 2021.
“Out of the $100m, $10m was granted, and another $200m borrowed from World Bank in the same year for Impact Project (Malaria Financing Agreement), making it a total of $300m
“The resolution by the National Assembly is that local content must be prioritised to encourage local manufacturers, but the ministry went ahead to contract the United Nations Office for Project Services to do the procurement process at a cost of over $3m for the purchase of anti-malaria commodities.”
