Health
Senate kicks against FG’s plan to borrow $200m to buy mosquito nets
The Nigerian Senate has faulted the plans by the Ministry of Health to $200 million to buy mosquito nets for 13 vulnerable states.
The permanent secretary in the Health Ministry, Mahmuda Mamman, had defended the budget saying; “The loan if approved by the National Assembly and accessed, will be used to medically fight malaria in the 13 orphan states which cover 208 local government Councils and 3, 536 primary health care centres”.
But the Senate Committee on Local and Foreign Loans didn’t buy the idea. One of the committee member, Senator Ibrahim Oloriegbe wondered why N450m was budgeted for Malaria treatment in the proposed 2022 budget and yet, plans being made to borrow $200m for the same purpose.
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“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.”
“Don’t we have local manufacturers of mosquitoes nets and malaria drugs in Nigeria to patronise with the loan even if approved.
“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.
