The House of Representatives Committee on Anti-Malaria, HIV/AIDS, and Tuberculosis has issued a 72-hour ultimatum to Health and Social Welfare Minister Mohammed Pate and Permanent Secretary Daju Kachollom to appear before them regarding allegations of misusing $300 million earmarked for malaria eradication since 2021.
The committee also warned of potential arrest for Permanent Secretary Kachollom Daju if she fails to attend the summons, following three previous invitations.
The officials are expected to respond to accusations of preventing local insecticidal net manufacturers from participating in procurement contracts and related matters.
Chairman of the Committee, Amobi Ogah, representing Isuikwato/Umuneochi Federal Constituency, Abia State, voiced his members’ frustration over the Permanent Secretary’s absence.
Ogah highlighted that Nigeria secured a $100 million loan from the Islamic Bank, approved by the National Assembly in 2021, with $10 million utilized. Additionally, another $200 million was borrowed from the World Bank the same year for the Malaria Financing Agreement, totaling $300 million.
Despite the National Assembly’s directive to prioritize local content for the procurement, the ministry engaged the United Nations Office for Project Services for procurement activities, costing over $3 million for anti-malaria commodities.
