COVID-19: Reps Want Health Ministry Procurement Power Restored

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The House of Representatives has urged the Federal government to restore the procurement powers of the Ministry of Health with immediate effect.

This was sequel to a unanimous adoption of by Rep. Shehu Kakale (APC-Sokoto) at the plenary on Wednesday.

Moving the motion earlier, Kakale said that the Federal Ministry of Health’s inability to procure equipment like protective personnel gadgets, other laboratory and logistical equipment and services, reagents and drugs was seriously hampering efforts to contain coronavirus and Lassa fever epidemics.

He recalled that the Federal Government had proactively provided N386 million to address the epidemics, yet basic protective equipment like face masks, thermal scanners and gloves were rapidly depleted and going out of stock in the ministry.

“All procurement issues of one marinated ministry are going to another ministry in this case Agriculture means outright violation of the Procurement Act.

“Federal Government stripped the Ministry of Health of its Procurement powers and transferred same to the ministry of Agriculture since the last quarter of last year.

“This scenario seriously causes inefficiency, delays and corrupt practices in the system and putting millions of Nigerian lives and the economy in grievous danger,” he said.

The House recommenced that the Federal Ministries of Agriculture, Finance and Health be investigated on the reasons for their violation of the Procurement Act.

The lawmaker said that the Ministry of Agriculture should concentrate on its mandate of zoonotic disease control, animal, public health and veterinary services.

Speaker of the House, Femi Gbajabiamila, mandated the committees on Health, Agriculture and Finance to ensure implementation.

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