House C’ttee Demands Post Procurement Audit of NACA over Alleged Misuse of Foreign Grants

Damilola Oyedele

The House of Representatives Committee on Public Procurement has mandated the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) to submit the post procurement audit report of the National Action Committee on AIDS (NACA) over allegations of the misuse of foreign grants.

The report which is to cover the period from 2011-2017, is to assist investigations into the procurement processes of the capital components of NACA’s budgets.

Pursuant to Sections 62, 88 and 89 of the 1999 Constitution, provisions of the PPA 2007 and Standing rules of the House, the committee would investigate allegations that the agency diverted grants and donations from foreign organisations meant for its work on the Acquired Immuno Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS), into other uses.

There are also allegations that some of the funds were allegedly outrightly embezzled.

The committee has already sent formal requests to the BPP and NACA, requesting them to furnish it with necessary details to assist in the investigations.

The Chairman of the Committee on Public Procurement, Hon. Wole Oke, while speaking with THISDAY, said the legislative chamber is undertaking the probe to avoid any embarassment to Nigeria with its international donors.

“We insist on strict adherence to the provisions of the Procurement Act 2007, because it is the only tool that Mr. President needs to wage the war against corruption in Nigeria,” he said.

“Working to stop corruption in all its ramifications is also part of the legislative agenda of this House and part of our mandates as lawmakers,” Oke added.

He added that the allegations levelled against NACA prompted the investigations into what may be the flagrant disregard for the rule of law.

“All foreign donors in whatever sectors expect that the funds they award, are used for specifically outlined and mutually agreed purposes. Such funds must therefore not be used for purposes outside the agreement, to ensure transparency. Our job as lawmakers is therefore to ensure proper accountability of these funds, and we will do just that,” the lawmaker added.