The Senate has criticised the federal government’s intention to borrow $200 million to buy mosquito nets and other malaria-prevention medications.
When the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health, Mahmuda Mamman, informed them of the plan, members of the Senate Committee on Local and Foreign Debts criticized the proposed loan requests.
Mr Mamman informed the panel that securing a $200 million facility to acquire mosquito nets to prevent malaria in 13 of the 36 states is part of the federal government’s proposal for the loan.
He attributed this to Nigeria’s high rate of under-five mortality, which he blamed on malaria and inhabitants’ lack of access to malaria medicines in the country’s 13 most susceptible states. As a result, the loan is required.
The loan will be used to battle malaria medically in the 13 orphan states, which cover 208 local government councils and 3,536 Primary Healthcare Centres, if approved by the National Assembly and accessed, he said.
However, Ibrahim Oloriegbe (APC, Kwara), a member of the committee, questioned why $200 million was being planned when N450 million had been allotted for malaria treatment in the proposed 2022 Appropriation bill.
Mr Oloriegbe, who is also the head of the health committee, also questioned why mosquito nets and malaria medications are not being produced and distributed in Nigeria.
“This is unacceptable. We should be able to put our feet down when dealing with these donor agencies or creditors as regards loans to be taken and what it should be expended on.
“This is a clear case of money and jobs for the boys by creditors luring you for loans and railroading you on what it should be spent on.
“Washington or whatever creditor offering the loan, should stop giving us money with one hand and taking it back with another hand through railroaded spending,” he said.
Senators Adelere Oriolowo and Abba Moro, both members of the committee, criticized the ministry’s plan. referring to it as frivolous
The parliamentarians said that the N450 million already set up to combat malaria in the areas identified as vulnerable was sufficient.
When asked how the idea came to be and how it would be implemented, Mr Mamman explained that a subsidiary agreement had been reached with all of the governments concerned through the signing of the necessary agreement.
Faisal Shuaib, Executive Director of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), went on to say that the $200 million was for mosquito net importation and local production.
Following that, the committee aim to examine the agency’s overall needs in order to determine whether borrowing was required.
They also wanted all papers pertaining to the World Bank’s $200 million financing for malaria treatment and mosquito nets.
Hi, constantly i used to check website posts here early in the dawn, since i like to learn more and more.
I don’t even understand how I stopped up here, however I assumed this submit was good. I don’t recognize who you’re however definitely you are going to a famous blogger should you are not already. Cheers!
Everything is very open with a precise description of the issues. It was truly informative. Your website is very helpful. Thanks for sharing!