Reps Seek EFCC, ICPC Oversight Of $4.6bn Global Fund, USAID Grants
House Calls for Enhanced Oversight of Health Grant Management
The House of Representatives has requested the involvement of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to bolster accountability in the management of $4.6 billion in health grants received by Nigeria for the period 2021 to 2025.
The grants include $1.8 billion from the Global Fund and $2.8 billion from the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), aimed at addressing HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria while also strengthening the country’s overall health system.
These recommendations were outlined in a report from the House Committee on Infectious Diseases, which conducted an investigation into how these funds have been utilized. The House adopted the report during a plenary session on Wednesday, following its presentation by the committee chairman, Hon. Ogah Amobi Godwin.
To improve accountability, the committee proposed that organizations managing these grants submit annual implementation plans to the National Assembly for approval prior to accessing funds. The recommendations also call for mandatory quarterly financial and program reports to enable lawmakers to monitor expenditures and evaluate the effectiveness of donor-funded interventions.
The committee emphasized the importance of addressing accountability gaps to enhance legislative and institutional oversight of international health assistance. An additional recommendation suggests that future grants be designed to allow Nigerian institutions to manage funds directly, aligning with the country’s health priorities and development strategies. The committee urged the Federal Government to increase domestic health financing to reduce reliance on foreign assistance.
Specifically, the House requested increased budget allocations for the health sector, including dedicated funding for programs addressing HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria. The committee also called for adequate appropriations to fulfill Nigeria’s counterpart funding obligations for these health initiatives.
In terms of institutional oversight, the committee recommended that the operations of the Country Coordinating Mechanism (CCM) Nigeria be funded through the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare’s budget. This arrangement aims to enhance the mechanism’s capacity to supervise grant management and address challenges affecting implementation.
The committee further urged the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare to provide permanent office accommodations and improve working conditions for the CCM and all National Programmes. Additionally, it called for Nigeria to meet its financial commitments for future Global Fund grant cycles.
These recommendations seek to enhance transparency, promote domestic ownership of donor-funded health programs, and ensure that allocated funds effectively benefit Nigerian citizens in the fight against major diseases.
