A coalition of civil society organisations, CSOs have alleged widescale corruption in the distribution of the COVID-19 funds provided for Nigeria’s response to the pandemic by the Nigeria government and international agencies.
The organisations in a report said that the looting was exacerbated by the absence of sincere monitoring given the claims that CSOs were locked out from monitoring the utilization of the COVID-19 donations.
Summary and Conclusion
In tracking Covid-19 funds and donations in Nigeria, available evidence suggests that apart from donations and grants from multilateral and bilateral agencies, the Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) created special funds and mobilize donations for emergency response to Coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19) in the country, to which corporate entities and private individuals contributed.
It also shows that the funds and other resources were kept as a trust or managed through other similar arrangements, which largely remain unrecorded as they were not regarded as government revenues. As such, the funds and resources bypass parliamentary budget oversight and government financial management controls and processes.
This opens opportunities for corruption and lack of transparency and accountability. Hence, the need to design an objective model or framework for managing the large-scale funds established to help addressing the socio- economic impact of Covid-19; and also serve as a form of future preparedness to prevent and mitigate fraud and corruption risks related to public health crisis management and economic rescue measures.
In order to advance accountability and transparency in an environment deeply rooted in a profiteering culture and aversion to openness in the use of public funds, this framework should allow for the involvement of all relevant stakeholders, including anti-corruption bodies, civil society and the private sector, and strong monitoring and evaluation processes, governments.
Available evidence suggests that the
government failed to demonstrate its fidelity to the rules in the way and manner it disbursed or distributed the funds or resources to citizens; as there were several reports and allegations of misuse or diversion of resources, distribution of palliatives third-party observers in distribution monitoring teams to ensure fair and equal distribution of relief materials regardless of party affiliation; and report abuses and offences against COVID-19 funds and donations;
Also, FGN did not carry CSOs along
while it was receiving COVID-19 donations or spending the funds. Hence, the anti-corruption protocol for the Presidential Task Force in charge of monitoring procurements and financial transactions developed by ICPC for corruption prevention on Covid-19 relief measures was not far- reaching. Essentially, there was poor involvement of CSOs/ Local Authorities (CDAs, Traditional leaders) by the government agencies/bodies (Specialized committees [Inter- Ministerial Committee: PTF and the State Counterparts], specialized anti- corruption agencies [EFCC & ICPC]/State MDAs/auditors) responsible for oversight and
Key issues
Covid-19 Accountability Tracker
accountability in the in the distribution of relief materials/monitoring of the implementation of the funds under the Covid-19 emergency support packages. As a result, there is the need to involve CSOs in the monitoring of the implementation of the funds under the Covid-19 emergency support packages for improved transparency and accountability by making them members of ad hoc committees responsible for oversight and accountability in the distribution of the relief provided; having consultation and discussions on the adoption of oversight and accountability mechanisms; and the monitoring of the implementation of the funds/ relief packages.
knowledge of and poor attitude towards main risks associated with emergency support measures; and the legal basis for receiving and distributing of Covid-19 emergency support packages; the relevant MDAs (Police, ICPC and EFCC)/mechanisms/channels for reporting fraud in the disbursement of funds and other relief materials. Doors should invest in knowledge sharing activities and build the Capacities of CSOs/Local authorities on identifying the main risks associated with emergency support measures /reporting of cases (corruption, trading in influence and related conducts; embezzlement and
misappropriation of funds and property; conflicts of interest and related; enablers and facilitators of corruption and other criminal acts; consequences of misconduct; and misuse of ICTs for phishing, misinformation and further fraudulent activities by various interest groups and criminal organizationsdomain.
Its imperative to invest in knowledge sharing activities and build the
Capacities of CSOs/Local authorities/citizens on international and national laws; polices/ mechanisms/channels for reporting fraud in the disbursement of funds and other relief materials for transparency and accountability in governance; and how to effectively deploy existing law such as the Freedom of Information Act to dig or rake up the information the government fails to provide.
There is poor knowledge of COVID-19 and the availability and pick up
times/points for emergency support packages among citizens/residents/ CSOs/Local Authorities occasioned by the communication strategy/channels of Information used by government
It is sad Quite Sad that monies meant to alleviate the sufferings and save lives have been withered away without any consequences.
