FG expenditure of N36bn  COVID-19 fund, SERAP  asks for details  

By Ezurike Ugochukwu

Following the disclosure of the federal government of Nigeria that it has spent N30.54 billion of the N36.3 billion public funds and donations received for the coronavirus pandemic, the Socio – Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), has sought for details of the expenditures

 Relying on the Freedom of Information (FoI) Act, SERAP had written to the federal government for specific details and additional information on the spending of the COVID-19 donation.

The Accountant-General of the Federation, Mr. Ahmed Idris in response to the request, and in compliance to FoI law dated 10th August, 2020 and sent from SERAP and Connected Development (CODE), stated that it spent N30,540,563,571.09, representing 84% of the N36.3 billion of the funds and donations, between 1st April, 2020 and 31st July, 2020, leaving the balance of N5.9 billion,

In a release made available to Nation update by the Socio – Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), a non-profit, non-partisan, legal and advocacy organization devoted to promoting transparency, accountability and respect for socio-economic rights stated.

The rights group expressed satisfaction with the government’s compliance to its request and encouraged other agencies of government to emulate that.

“We welcome your demonstrated commitment to transparency and accountability, and hope other public officials and institutions would emulate and learn from the good example you have shown by honouring and respecting FoI Act as a matter of routine and practice.”

“We would therefore be grateful to receive more specific details and additional information on the spending of N34.4bn between April and July, and details on plans to spend the balance of the balance of N5.9 billion in the COVID-19 Eradication Support Accounts.”

“The Federal Government of Nigeria has disclosed that it “spent N30,540,563,571.09, representing 84% of the N36.3 billion public funds and donations received to respond to COVID-19 between 1st April, 2020 and 31st July, 2020, leaving the balance of N5.9 billion,” it disclosed in the statement.

The Accountant-General of the Federation, Mr. Ahmed Idris stated this in response to the Freedom of Information (FoI) Act request dated 10th August, 2020 and sent to him by SERAP and Connected Development (CODE).

Acknowledging the letter from the federal government, through a letter dated 4th September 2020, and signed by SERAP’s deputy director, Kolawole Oluwadare and CODE Chief Executive, Hamzat Lawal, the duo stated:

“We note among others that the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 spent N22 billion; and 36 states spent N7 billion to support their COVID-19 initiatives.

“We also note that the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) spent N877 million for deployment of assets in support of COVID-19 operations; while the Nigeria Police spent N500 million on personal protective equipment. N17,865.09 was paid as bank charges.”

They responded further, “However, we also note that the documents sent to us do not contain other significant details as indicated in our FoI Act request dated 10 August, 2020, including details and breakdown of the number of Nigerians who directly or indirectly have benefited from the spending, and details on plans to spend the balance of N5.9 billion in the COVID-19 Eradication Support Accounts.”

“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.”

“This is a huge lesson for public officials and politicians about the idea of public service to one’s country. It also sends a powerful message about the need for politicians to see public office as an opportunity to serve and give something back to the country, and not a place to mismanage, steal or divert the people’s commonwealth into private pockets for personal benefits.”

“We welcome your demonstrated commitment to transparency and accountability, and hope other public officials and institutions would emulate and learn from the good example you have shown by honouring and respecting FoI Act as a matter of routine and practice.”

“We would therefore be grateful to receive more specific details and additional information on the spending of N34.4bn between April and July, and details on plans to spend the balance of the balance of N5.9 billion in the COVID-19 Eradication Support Accounts.”

“Of the N36.3bn public funds and donations received, N1.4bn came from Nigerians and companies through accounts at the First Bank; Access Bank; GTB, Zenith, and UBA, while N536m donations were made through the Central Bank of Nigeria [CBN]. The N536million donations comprise of N89 million and N279m from the Senate and House of Representatives, respectively.”

“In addition, China General Chambers of Commerce in Nigeria donated N48m; the Petroleum Equalization Management Board gave N50 million while the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board donated N70m,” they stated.

SERAP and CODE requested details and additional information to be provided within 7 days of the receipt or publication of its response letter.

“If we have not heard from you by then, SERAP and CODE shall take all appropriate legal actions under the Freedom of Information Act and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights to compel you to comply with our request,” they said.

Specifically, the groups asked Mr. Idris to provide: “Details and breakdown of where the N34.4bn public funds from the Federal Government came from, and whether or not the money was duly appropriated by the National Assembly; Details of specific projects and activities on which the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 has spent the N22.16bn, which represents 72% of the money spent, including how the spending has directly or indirectly benefited Nigerians, as well as details of names of any such beneficiaries;”

The groups also demanded details and breakdown of money, if any, spent to provide personal protective equipment to Nigerian doctors and medical workers who are at the forefront in the fight against COVID-19; details and breakdown of the N7billion given to 36 states, and the specific amount of money collected by each state.

Its worthy of note that the money represents 23% of the total amount spent within 4 months; details and breakdown of the N877 million [2.9% of the money] spent by the Nigerian Air Force for deployment of assets in support of COVID-19 operations, as well as the nature of any such operations; Details and breakdown of the N500 million [1.6% of the money] spent by the Nigeria Police on personal protective equipment.