and donations received to respond to COVID-19 between 1st April 2020 and
31st July 2020, leaving the balance of N5.9 billion.”
The Accountant-General of the Federation, Mr. Ahmed Idris stated this in
response to the Freedom of Information request dated 10 August 2020 and
sent to him by Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP)
and Connected Development (CODE).
In the reply to Mr. Idris dated 4th September 2020, and signed by SERAP
deputy director Kolawole Oluwadare and CODE Chief Executive Hamzat
Lawal, the organizations said: “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.”
The groups said: “We also note that the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) spent
N877 million for the 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.”
The reply by the groups, read in part: “However, we also note that the
documents sent to us do not contain other significant details as
indicated in our FoI 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 N536 donations comprise of N89m 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 N50m while the
Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board donated N70m.”
“We would be grateful if the requested details and additional
information are provided to us within 7 days of the receipt and/or
publication of this 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.”
“We are writing to acknowledge receipt of the undated letter signed on
your behalf by Mrs. Odanwu Chizoba, from the Office of Accountant
General of the Federation, but received 2nd September 2020, on the above
subject-matter in which the Federal Government provided some information
on inflows and outflows of COVID-19 funds, drawn from COVID-19
Eradication Support Accounts. We appreciate your co-operation in this
regard.”
Specifically, the groups are asking Mr. Idris to provide to them with
the following:
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;
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 N7bn given to 36 states, and the specific
amount of money collected by each state. This money represents 23% of
the total amount spent within 4 months;
Details and breakdown of the N877m [2.9% of the money] spent by the
Nigerian Air Force for the deployment of assets in support of COVID-19
operations, as well as the nature of any such operations;
Details and breakdown of the N500m [1.6% of the money] spent by the
Nigeria Police on personal protective equipment;
“The Office of the Accountant General of the Federation should also take
steps to approach and request from the Presidential Task Force on
COVID-19, the Nigerian Air Force, Nigeria Police Force, and the 36
states any of the details highlighted above, if the information is not
held by your Office, in line with the provisions of the FoI Act.”
“Under the FoI Act, other public institutions or institutions that may
be holding the requested information are obligated to provide the
information.”
“Please accept the expression of our highest consideration. Thanking you
in advance for your urgent attention to the matter.”
