Under accusations of misusing $300 million intended to combat malaria since 2021, the House of Representatives Committee on Anti-Malaria, HIV/AIDS, and Tuberculosis on Tuesday gave the Permanent Secretary, Daju Kachollom, and the Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Mohammed Pate, a 72-hour ultimatum to appear before it.
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This comes after the committee issued a warning to have Permanent Secretary Kachallom Daju arrested if she disobeys the summons after three attempts to appear before it.
They are additionally expected to respond to inquiries over claims that they were excluded from the contract for the purchase of the items and other associated goods because they are native producers of insecticidal nets.
Amobi Ogah, the committee chairman and member representing the Isuikwato/Umuneochi Federal Constituency in Abia State, conveyed the discontent among his colleagues on the Permanent Secretary’s nonattendance during Tuesday’s reading of the committee’s resolutions in the National Assembly.
Describing malaria as an epidemic in Nigeria, Ogah said the government has always wanted to help the people, adding that “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 have invited her to come and explain to us what has happened.”
He continued, “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 the 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.”.