From Ndubuisi Orji, Abuja
The House of Representatives has queried the Federal Ministry of Health over the disengaged of a local vendor involved in the implementation of a $100 million malaria control project by United Nations Office for Project Services(UNOPS)
The House Committee on HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, at an investigative hearing, yesterday, expressed displeasure that the local vendor was disengaged contrary to the agreement between Nigeria and the Islamic Development Bank, which gave the country, the $100 million facility.
The chairman, Amobi Ogah, gave the Minister of Health, Professor Ali Pate, two weeks to furnish the lawmakers with a comprehensive report on the project.
Ogah expressed dismay that the disqualification of the local contractor have stalled the implementation of the $100 million malaria control project.
According to him, “we are aware that Malaria continues to exert a huge burden on majority of Nigerians, with the greatest toll affecting children under 5 and pregnant women. Nigeria contributes 27% of the global malaria cases, (World Malaria Report, 2021) and 31% of global Malaria deaths.
“In view of this sad story every effort must be made to support any initiative that attempts to reduce or eliminate malaria burden in Nigeria. However we are at a loss as to the reason why the Loan agreement between Nigeria and the Islamic Bank which is expected to last for 3 years, that is terminating by end of this year, has suffered monumental setback. “