The thorough probe of the utilization of COVID-19 intervention fund and palliatives has been urged by the Centre for Anti-Corruption and Open Leadership (CACOL)<\/p>\n
CACOL beckoned on the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to investigate the agencies concerned and if found wanting, the officials should be punished.<\/p>\n
At the 2022 African Union Anti-Corruption Day in Abuja, ICPC Chairman, Prof. Bolaji Owasanoye (SAN) announced that relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) would be investigated.<\/p>\n
Owasanoye confirmed the commission observed discrepancies and infractions in the procurement and payments made by some MDAs after the release and disbursement of funds.<\/p>\n
The ICPC chief added that reports indicated favouritism in the allocation and distribution of relief material or palliatives, as well as hijacking by political actors, their proxies, cronies and affiliates.<\/p>\n
In a statement on Friday, CACOL Chairman, Debo Adeniran recalled that at the height of the pandemic, the body called on relevant anti-graft agencies to scrutinize spendings.<\/p>\n
Nigeria was among the first set of countries in Sub-Saharan Africa to identify coronavirus cases and implemented strict measures to contain the spread of the virus.<\/p>\n
Adeniran said measures such as travel restrictions and lockdowns negatively affected the livelihoods and food security of most citizens, especially the lower and middle-class.<\/p>\n
The activists said before the crisis, approximately 4 in 10 Nigerians were living below the poverty line and millions more were just above.<\/p>\n
\u201cHence, it was so strange to notice the abysmal strategies adopted by agencies of government in the distribution of palliatives and spending of the intervention fund.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe cannot forget the rate of hoarding and diversion of palliatives that led to the raids of facilities warehousing palliatives by impoverished people in different parts of the country.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe at CACOL are happy that the ICPC is beaming its searchlight on these erring agencies, though it is coming a bit late but it is better late than never.<\/p>\n