BREAKING: In response to our FoI with @Connected_dev the FG has stated that it spent N30,540,563,571.09 in 4 months to fight COVID-19. Of the N36.3bn public funds & donations received, PTF on COVID-19 spent N22bn; 36 states spent N7bn; NAF spent N877m; and @PoliceNG spent N500m.
Our reply to the Accountant General's letter sent yesterday, read: "We acknowledge receipt of the letter signed on your behalf by Mrs Odanwu Chizoba, which provides some information on inflows and outflows of COVID-19 funds, drawn from the COVID-19 Eradication Support Accounts.
We note that the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 spent N22bn; 36 states spent N7bn to support their COVID-19 initiatives; Nigerian Air Force spent N877m for deployment of assets in support of COVID-19 operations; & Nigeria Police spent N500m on personal protective equipment.
However, we also note that the documents sent to us do not contain other significant details as indicated in our FoI request dated 10 August, 2020, including details and breakdown of the number of Nigerians who directly or indirectly have benefited from the spending.”
It is refreshing to note that 115 ordinary Nigerians donated between N1 and N100 to support the authorities’ efforts to fight COVID-19, despite the fact that it is the country’s poorest and most disadvantaged sectors of the population that continue to bear the brunt of COVID-19.
This is a huge lesson for politicians about the idea of public service to one’s country. It also sends a powerful message about the need to see public office as an opportunity to serve & give something back to the country & not a place to mismanage, steal or divert public funds.
We would be grateful if the requested details & additional information are provided to us within 7 days of the receipt and/or publication of this letter. If we have not heard from you by then, we shall take all appropriate legal actions to compel you to comply with our request.”
