House Queries Health Ministry Over $100m Loan Agreement

House Committee on HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria control has queried the Ministry of Health over disengagement of a local contractor in a $100 million loan agreement between Nigeria and the Islamic Development Bank.

The loan is aimed at addressing the challenge of malaria in the country.

The Chairman of the Committee, Amobi Ogah, expressed displeasure that the expected succor through the intervention was yet to materialize even after signing the agreement in 2022.

In his ruling at the meeting, Amobi directed the Minister of Health, Prof. Ali Muhammad Pate, to provide a comprehensive report on the transactions pertaining to the agreement within two weeks.

The report is expected to explain in detail why the local vendors approved for the agreement were disqualified and not given access to the job.

He said the meeting was to resolve the logjam that seems to have crippled the implementation of the Islamic Bank Loan to support malaria elimination in Nigeria under the Lives and Livelihood Project.

“The project aims to reduce under-five mortality in Nigeria from 132 to 79 per 1,000 births by 2030”.

The Health Minister, Pate, explained that the agreement was reversed due to issues with the local producer, citing a Memorandum of Understanding signed with the United Nations procurement agent, UNOPS.

He acknowledged that the country still has a malaria challenge and the Islamic Development Loan is a major effort that started four years ago as part of Nigeria’s determination to achieve malaria elimination.

The Committee expressed concern over the disengagement of the local contractor, citing unclear reasons given by UNOPS, including an anomaly, lack of capacity, and a whistleblower’s information.

The Chairman, Ogah, demanded a report from the Ministry, emphasizing the need to encourage local producers and manufacturers.

The Speaker, Dr. Abbas Tajudeen represented by the House Leader, Prof. Julius Ihonvbare, hoped the matter would be resolved amicably.

Oduyemi Odumade, Edited By Grace Namiji