The Federal Ministry of Trade and Investment has been directed to refund N75 billion COVID-19 intervention fund to government coffers.
The House of Representatives Committee on Public Account gave the directive sequel to the adoption of a motion by a member from Cross River State Mr. Bassey Akiba during a public hearing on COVID-19 funds.
The committee also resolved that the Federal Ministry of Health should also refund the sum of N10 billion to government coffers.
According to the committee the amount which was earmarked for COVID-19 vaccine production is yet to be utilized by the health ministry.
The Federal Lawmaker said the committee had written to the ministry three times to appear and account for the funds but failed to reply.
“The Federal Ministry of Trade and Investment has been allowed to appear and explain the usage and application of the sum of N75 billion, and up till now, they have refused to appear.
“It therefore means that the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment does not have any explanation as to how this money was used,” Akiba said.
The Chairman of the committee, Mr. Bamidele Salam, explained that the activities of the committee are backed by the Constitution, Standing Rules of the House, and other relevant laws, saying the motion affects all the Permanent Secretaries who served in the ministries since 2019.
The Nigerian Rural Electrification Agency has also given a 24-hour ultimatum to submit documents to back its expenditure of over N12 billion in COVID-19 intervention funds to the committee.
It further directed the agency to appear before the committee on Monday, Jan. 22, to give a proper account of the expenses made.
