Deputy Chairman House of Representatives Committee on Anti-Corruption, Hon. Dachung Musa Bagos has described as failure on the part Federal Government for not handling COVID-19 funds judiciously to the benefit of all Nigerians
Bagos stated this at the 6th African Union Day of Anti-Corruption Strategies and Mechanisms for the Transparent Management of COVID-19 Funds organized by the EFCC, ICPC, NFIU and Code of Conduct Bureau held at NAF Conference Centre Abuja.
The lawmaker who is representing Jos South/Jos East Federal Constituency of Plateau State said Nigerians are still asking questions of whereabout of COVID-19 funds.
“If you could recall that IMF has given Nigeria about $3.6 billion and apart from that, the federal government announced a stimulus of about 6 million, but research has shown that only 12.5% of Nigerians the poorest of the poor have received a stimulus from the federal government.”
The Reps member said what has happened to the COVID-19 funds is a challenge most politicians are facing, because of the huge number of poor people in their various constituencies.
“We are finding it difficult to even go out to campaign in 2023, because of the level of corruption, now you are talking to people to vote you into power they are telling you that they are obedient, so they now have alternatives.
The House Committee Deputy Chairman on Anti-corruption said the issue has been a big concern to them as lawmakers having passed effective laws and policies on anti-corruption which was to help Nigerians.
“The National Assembly has passed stimulus bills to give the executive the powers and the laws to ensure that Nigerians have the best that they could in the economy, and various institution in the country, but unfortunately, as it is today, 2022”.
Bagos who is seeking re-election to the National Assembly, appreciated the anti-corruption agencies for putting together the forum, saying it is an avenue to provide justice and answers to Nigerians on the COVID-19 funds.
