Reps to monitor Chinese medical personnel that came into the country on Wednesday for the delivery of materials and equipment in the fight against #Covid-19 , says @femigbaja 
The Speaker disclosed this at a meeting on the update on #Covid-19 between the leadership of the National Assembly and the Presidential Task Force (PTF) where he emphasized the need for legislation for the disbursement of government and private funds for the pandemic.
He said without legislation, coupled with the fact that disbursement of government funds must be as prescribed by law, spending from the #COVID-19 funds may become a subject of litigation.
He also expressed disappointment with the disclosure that medical and other personnel at the entry points and hospitals working on the coronavirus pandemic are yet to be paid hazard allowance.
The Speaker inquired from the Minister of Health, @DrEOEhanire about the whereabouts of the Chinese medical personnel and if they were subjected to the laid down protocol of the disease.
He said: “This engagement is to see how we can make things better. The Chinese medical personnel, are they coming to upgrade our laboratories, are you accepting them? Who are the technicians that have been running the Kaduna and Kano laboratories before now?
The Speaker also said since the disease is highly infectious, let the authorities test as many Nigerians as possible.
“My point is, let us begin to test everybody since the disease is highly infectious. We have a problem of contact tracing with people giving wrong addresses.
“My point is, let us begin to test everybody since the disease is highly infectious. We have a problem of contact tracing with people giving wrong addresses.
Have you tried tracing them through the Immigration Service and telecommunication companies since there are other details that can be sourced from those windows?”
On the issue of legislative backing for funds devoted to the #Covid-19 cause, the Speaker noted that disbursement from the fund without the approval of the National Assembly could become controversial.
“What we are trying to do is to see if constitutional provision is brought to bear on this issue as stated by Section 80 of the constitution, that disbursement from the coffers of government can only be in a manner prescribed by an Act of the National Assembly.
“What we can do is to convene as soon as possible and give you, even if it is a one line item for you to appropriate this monies, this is because to do otherwise may become a subject of litigation, and the court can say you have no power to disburse from the money” he says
On his part, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), who is also the Chairman of PTF, Boss Mustapha, in aligning with the position of the Speaker on the need for the legislation also assured that a comprehensive welfare package is being processed.
Others at the meeting that included the President of the Senate, @DrAhmadLawan were the Ministers of the Aviation, Environment, Information and Foreign Affairs as well members of the PTF on #Covid-19.
