he House of Representatives Committee on Anti-Malaria, HIV/AIDS and Tuberculosis has issued a 72-hour ultimatum for the Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Mohammed Pate, and Permanent Secretary, Daju Kachollom to appear before it over allegations of a misappropriated $300m aimed at tackling malaria since 2021.
The ultimatum was handed down on Tuesday just after the committee threatened to order the arrest of the permanent secretary, Kachallom Daju, if she fails to honour the summons, having failed to appear before it after three invitations.
The duo are also expected to answer questions on allegations of denying indigenous manufacturers of insecticidal nets from participating in the contract for the procurement of the items and other related products.
The Chairman of the Committee, Amobi Ogah, who read the committee’s resolutions at the National Assembly, expressed displeasure over the absence of the Permanent Secretary
Describing malaria as an epidemic in Nigeria, Ogah said the government had always wanted to help the people, adding that most times, civil servants were the problem as the money in question had been made available since 2021.
Ogah called for parliament’s intervention to address the issue, saying the National Assembly would no longer tolerate the attitude of civil servants taking House members for a ride.
Meanwhile…
The House of Representatives has asked the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, to immediately end the signing and implementation of a trade partnership with the United Kingdom (UK), that allows UK lawyers to practice in Nigeria.
A motion by 49 lawmakers on Tuesday, pointed to recent reports and public outcry, over an alleged ploy aimed at exploring new opportunities in key sectors such as the energy, legal, and financial services sectors.
The House also noted that the legal imbalance was mainly in favour of the UK, to the detriment of qualified Nigerian lawyers, in that it sought to allow UK lawyers enter the Nigerian legal space and practice, but not vice versa.
Members of the Green Chamber argued that except instant efficient steps were taken to investigate and address the concerns raised, the country may unwittingly be entering into a deal whose terms and conditions may, eventually be unfavourable to the country and the overall interest of Nigerians.
The House then mandated its Committee on Treaties, Protocols, and Agreements, to investigate the situation, and report back within four weeks.