The House of Representatives Committee on Anti-Malaria, HIV/AIDS and Tuberculosis has given the Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Mohammed Ali Pate, and the permanent secretary, Daju Kachollom, 72 hours to appear before it over allegations of misappropriating $300 million meant to fight malaria since 2021.
The committee resolved that the permanent secretary should be arrested if she fails to honour the summons, having failed to appear before it after three successive invitations.
They are also expected to answer questions on allegations of denying indigenous manufacturers of insecticidal nets from participating in the contract for the procurement of insecticidal nets and related products.
Chairman of the committee, Hon Amobi Godwin Ogah, who read the resolution of the committee at its resumed meeting expressed the displeasure of his members about the absence of the permanent secretary.
Ogah 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 to be arrested if she fails to honour the summons,” he said.
