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Tag: COVID-19

  • Health Ministry in trouble over funds meant for production of COVID-19 vaccine

    Health Ministry in trouble over funds meant for production of COVID-19 vaccine

    The Federal Ministry of Health has entered into trouble with the House of Representatives Committee on Public Account probing utilisation of COVID-19 funds.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports the committee has asked the Federal Ministry of Health to refund the sum of N10 billion to government coffers.

    According to the committee, the amount which was earmarked for COVID-19 vaccine production is yet to be utilised by the health ministry.

    The Reps committee made the disclosure at a public hearing on COVID-19 funds on Thursday in Abuja, where the committee also asked the Ministry of Trade and Investment to refund N75 billion COVID-19 intervention fund to the coffers of the government.

    The Reps committee asked the Ministry of Trade and Investment to refund N75 billion COVID-19 intervention fund in resolution at the public hearing.

    The resolution was sequel to the adoption of a motion by Rep. Bassey Akiba (LP-Cross River) at the public hearing.

    Moving the motion, Akiba said that the committee had written to the ministry three times to appear and account for the funds but they had failed to reply.

    “The Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, have been given the opportunity to appear and explain the usage and application of the sum of N75 billion and up and up till now, they have refused to appear.

    “It, therefore, means that the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment does not have any explanation as to how this money was used.

    “On this basis, I move using the relevant section of the financial regulations, that this ministry be asked to refund the sum of N75 billion to the government,” he said.

    In his ruling, Chairman of the committee, Rep. Bamidele Salam (PDP-Osun) said that the activities of the committee are backed by the Constitution, Standing Rules of the House and other relevant laws.

    He explained that the motion affects all the Permanent Secretaries that served in the ministry since 2019.

    The committee gave a 24-hour ultimatum to the Nigerian Rural Electrification Agency to submit documents to back its expenditure of over N12 billion COVID-19 intervention funds.

    The committee said that the agency should also appear before the committee on Monday, Jan. 22, to give a proper account of the expenses made.

  • Reps committee asks ministry to refund N75bn COVID-19 funds

    Reps committee asks ministry to refund N75bn COVID-19 funds

    The House of Representatives Committee on Public Account has said that the Federal Ministry of Trade and Investment should refund N75 billion COVID-19 intervention fund to government coffers.

    The resolution was sequel to the adoption of a motion by Rep. Bassey Akiba (LP-Cross River) at a public hearing on COVID-19 funds on Thursday in Abuja.

    Moving the motion, Akiba said that the committee had written to the ministry three times to appear and account for the funds but they had failed to reply.

    “The Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, have been given the opportunity to appear and explain the usage and application of the sum of N75 billion and up and up till now, they have refused to appear.

    “It therefore means that the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment does not have any explanation as to how this money was used.

    “On this basis, I move using the relevant section of the financial regulations, that this ministry be asked to refund the sum of N75 billion to government,” he said.

    In his ruling, the Chairman of the committee, Rep. Bamidele Salam (PDP-Osun) said that the activities of the committee is backed by the Constitution, Standing Rules of the House and other relevant laws.

    He explained that the motion affects all the Permanent Secretaries that served in the ministry since 2019.

    The committee also resolved that the Federal Ministry of Health should also refund the sum of N10 billion to government coffers.

    The amount which was earmarked for COVID-19 vaccine production is yet to be utilised by the health ministry.

    The committee gave a 24-hour ultimatum to the Nigerian Rural Electrification Agency to submit documents to back its expenditure of over N12 billion COVID-19 intervention funds.

    The committee said that the agency should also appear before the committee on Monday, Jan. 22, to give proper account of the expenses made.

  • How COVID-19 vaccines saved 1.4 million lives in Europe

    How COVID-19 vaccines saved 1.4 million lives in Europe

    The World Health Organisation (WHO) on Tuesday said COVID-19 vaccines saved at least 1.4 million lives in Europe.

    Delivering his first message of the new year, Regional Director, WHO European region, Dr Hans Kluge, stressed that without vaccines, the death toll on the continent “could have been around four million, possibly even higher.

    “More than 2.5 million COVID-19 deaths, and 277 million confirmed cases, were reported in the vast WHO European Region, which comprised 53 countries stretching from the Atlantic to the Pacific Ocean.

    “Analysis of 34 countries showed that most people whose lives were saved by vaccines, 90 per cent, were over 60.”

    Kluge said the vaccines reduced deaths by 57 per cent in the period between their rollout in December 2020 through March 2023, with the first booster doses alone saving an estimated 700,000 lives.

    “Today, there are 1.4 million people in our region – most of them elderly – who are around to enjoy life with their loved ones because they took the vital decision to be vaccinated against COVID-19.

    “This is the power of vaccines. The evidence is irrefutable,” Kluge said, speaking from Copenhagen.

    He added that COVID-19 rates in Europe remained elevated but were decreasing.

    “WHO recommends that people at highest risk of the disease should continue to be re-vaccinated six to 12 months after their most recent dose.

    “This category includes older persons, frontline health workers, pregnant women, and people who are immunocompromised or have significant chronic medical conditions,” he said.

    Meanwhile, WHO is currently seeing widespread circulation of respiratory viruses like influenza, Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) and measles in the European region.

    RSV rates peaked before the new year and are now declining, Kluge reported, and influenza rates are rapidly rising, with a likely surge expected over the coming weeks.

    There has been a nearly 60 per cent increase in reported hospitalisations for the flu over the past two weeks and a 21 per cent increase in ICU admissions, compared to the previous two weeks.

    Flu cases increased four-fold between November and December, with 38 countries reporting the start of the seasonal influenza epidemic.

    Those most affected by severe disease are people aged 65 and older and the very young.

    “We are concerned about reports of localised pressures on hospitals and overcrowding in emergency rooms, due to a confluence of circulating respiratory viruses,” he said.

    Kluge stressed that although COVID-19 infection rates were broadly decreasing across Europe, the situation could rapidly change in the face of the new variant of interest, JN.1, now the most common variant reported globally.

    “Though there’s no current evidence to suggest the JN.1 variant is more severe, the unpredictable nature of this virus shows how vital it is that countries continue to monitor for any new variants.

    “As many countries have reduced or stopped reporting COVID-19 data to WHO, Kluge underscored the need for continued surveillance as the disease is here to stay.

    “We know how to keep ourselves and others safe, whether from COVID-19 or other respiratory infections,” he said.

    He noted that health was slipping from the political agenda, and voiced deep concern over the failure to address the ticking time-bomb facing the health and care workforce.

    “As health systems come under strain, we are reminded that we may be unprepared for anything out-of-the-ordinary, such as the emergence of a new, more severe COVID-19 variant or a yet unknown pathogen,” he warned.

    He urged leaders to show demonstrable support for health workers.

  • Prepare for next pandemic – UN chief raises alarm

    Prepare for next pandemic – UN chief raises alarm

    UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres has urged the world to prepare for the next pandemic and act on lessons learned from COVID-19.

    Guterres said this in a message on Wednesday to mark the International Day of Epidemic Preparedness

    The International Day of Epidemic Preparedness, celebrated annually on Dec.27, provides an opportunity for renewed commitment to the vital work of epidemic preparedness.

    It’s also an ideal moment to reflect on the progress made to date—progress that in 2023 demonstrated the important link between global goals and local advocacy.

    The COVID-19 pandemic affected hundreds of millions of lives, caused millions of deaths and inflicted devastating impacts on humanity.

    After three years of unprecedented global efforts, on May 5, the World Health Organisation (WHO) declared an end to COVID-19 as a public health emergency, stressing however, that it does not mean the disease is no longer a global threat.

    “Economic damage inflicted by the pandemic endures. Many healthcare systems are struggling. Millions of children are threatened by disease after missing out on routine childhood vaccinations,” Guterres said.

    The UN chief noted that three years after the first COVID-19 vaccines were developed, billions of people remain unprotected – overwhelmingly in developing countries.

    “When the next pandemic arrives, we must do better. But we’re not yet ready. We must prepare and act on the lessons of COVID-19,” he urged.

    “We must renounce the moral and medical disaster of rich countries hoarding and controlling pandemic healthcare supplies, and ensure everyone has access to diagnostics, treatments and vaccines,” he stressed, adding that WHO’s authority and financing must also be strengthened.

    According to him, the way forward lies through global cooperation and that the world must improve surveillance of viruses, strengthen health systems, and make the promise of Universal Health Coverage a reality.

    The secretary-general said these efforts were making progress.

    He recalled that the High-level meeting on Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness and Response, held in September, concluded with a robust political declaration which complements negotiations underway towards a pandemic accord.

    This first-ever global agreement aims to enhance collaboration, cooperation, and equity in responding to pandemics of the future, WHO chief Tedros Ghebreyesus said in his end-of-year message published on Tuesday.

    According to the UN chief, the pandemic accord will help to create a safer and healthier world with a universal system of response to disease eruptions.

    Guterres urged countries to build on this momentum by delivering a strong, comprehensive accord, focused on equity.

    “Together, let’s act on the lessons of COVID-19, prepare, and build a fairer, healthier world for all,” he said.

  • NCDC clarifies misinterpretation of COVID-19 cases in Benue

    The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has issued clarification regarding recent report of resurgence of COVID-19 cases in Benue.

    The NCDC via its official website on Friday stated that the news, which claimed that 25 new cases were found, was misinterpreted from a statement by a World Health Organisation (WHO) surveillance officer.

    The officer, during a meeting organised by Benue State Primary Healthcare Board, in collaboration with WHO in Makurdi, said Benue recorded a total of 25 new cases in 2023, with the last case recorded in mid-April.

    The surveillance officer then urged people to take advantage of the COVID-19 immunisation to protect themselves from the virus.

    However, NCDC provided the overall COVID-19 situation in the country, where it shared statistics which revealed that a total of 6,013,826 tests were conducted, with 267,184 confirmed cases and 3,155 deaths.

    It added that “in the last quarter of 2023, 15,481 tests were conducted, confirming 75 cases across 25 states.

    “In spite of WHO’s declaration that COVID-19 no longer constitutes a public health emergency of international concern, the Federal Government, through the NCDC, integrated COVID-19 testing into routine disease surveillance.”

    The NCDC, therefore, underscored the importance of responsible reporting by the media, acknowledging their critical role in public health and national security.

    It expressed gratitude for the collaboration with the media while urging accurate information dissemination to prevent potential public health threats arising from misinformation.

    The NCDC reaffirmed its commitment to protecting the health of Nigerians, ensuring transparency, and maintaining open communication channels to provide accurate and timely information on matters of public health importance.

  • Alleged N60bn infractions: PAC queries FERMA over fake contracts

    Alleged N60bn infractions: PAC queries FERMA over fake contracts

    Public Accounts Commiteee, PAC, of the House of Representatives investigating the alleged mismanagement of COVID-19 interventionfunds from 2020 to 2021 on Monday grilled the officials of the Federal Road Maintenance Agency, FERMA, on the ultilization of the over N60bn allocated to the Agency during the dreaded COVID-19 epidemics

    The Committee, being chaired by Rep Bamidele Salam (PDP-OSUN), expressed disappointment over the way and manner the Management of the Agency led by its Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer Dr. Chukwuemeka Agbasi appeared before the committee with a large delegation.

    The agency that was rescheduled to re-appear before the Committee on Monday could not produce enough copies of the requested documents. Instead of producing about 60 copies to be distributed to the members, there are only 11 copies. and only made its submission in the morning of the same Monday as against last Friday the deadline for submission of documents

    The Agency claimed that a total of 192 projects were carried out across the country, which numbers took turns to debunk that such never existed in their constituencies.

    First to debunk the claim was Rep Jeremiah Umaru, the deputy chairman of the committee, who said that the road mentioned in his constituency, Wamba-Akwanga road had been in a state of disrepair for several years and was surprised to hear the MD mentioning it as part of those facelifted during the Covid-19.

    Another road from Tafawa Balewa area to a location around Plateau state was also put under the spotlight as a lawmaker and member of the committee requested for the pictorial evidence of road during that period hence, saying ” in the claim of the FERMA boss his explanation, it does not sound real ”

    Another lawmaker from Osun, Hon. Adewale Mauruff expressed serious concerns when he informed the committee that, a particular project which was contracted had its fund moved into direct labour without satisfactory explanation pointing out that there was no time survey was done of the raid to ascertain the need to maintain that particular section as mentioned by FERMA.

    Another area that was not believed by the committee was the assertion by FERMA that it had about N8.9m still outstanding in their coffers just as a project administration fee of N9 billion was frowned

    While ruling on the matter, the chairman announced that the Committee would take another criminal look into the books of the Agency and requested more specific documents, vouchers, and pictorial evidence of all the projects.

    In a unanimous conclusion, theq committee set up an ad hoc committee, headed by Hon. Jeremiah Umaru, to physically verify the projects as presented by FERMA.

    The Agency is to reappear before the Committee.

  • Obaseki blames global inflation on COVID-19 pandemic

    Obaseki blames global inflation on COVID-19 pandemic

    Gov. Godwin Obaseki of Edo has said that the Corona Virus (COVID-19) pandemic which impacted the World three years ago, was responsible for the all time high global inflation.

    Obaseki stated this while delivering his keynote address on Friday at the 2023 Delta State Executive Council Retreat in Asaba.
    The retreat has the theme: “Delivering the M.O.R.E Agenda for Advancing Delta: Strategies Enablers”.

    The theme was aimed at ensure that Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) of Delta government align their programmes and activities with the Delta’s Gov. Sheriff Oborevwori led administration’s policy focus.

    Obaseki, who spoke on “Innovative Approach to Building a State that Works for the Citizens (Opportunities, Challenges and Prospects for Advancing the Delta State Economy), said that the pandemic triggered the global inflation.

    According to him, the pandemic of three years ago had driven global inflation to an all time high.

    ”Since the era of COVID-19, there has been a significant increase in use of technology and Artificial Intelligence in doing things, the effect on developing countries like Nigeria is frightening”.

    He, however, warned that sub-national and local governments must work assiduously to deliver for the people.

    Obaseki disclosed plans to buy back the state’s shares in the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC),  adding that talks were ongoing between Delta, Edo, Ekiti, and Ondo states to repurchase the shares.

    On his part, Oborevwori assured of his administration’s committed to ensuring excellence, process driven and result oriented governance for the people of the state.

    He said that the strategic imperatives of the M.O.R.E agenda have been distilled into deliverables that can be measured, tracked, and reported.

    “These key performance indicators will enable us to measure our progress as an administration based on established timelines and benchmarks for success.

    “This will in turn, enable efficiency of government, enhance performance, hold the MDAs accountable, and promote judicious utilization of resources.

    “It is my earnest expectation that this forum will provide the pathway for us to deliver on the promises of the M.O.R.E agenda.

    “Through fiscal responsibility, synergy among the MDAs, robust community engagement, effective public communication, creative execution of programmes, and excellent service delivery,” he said.

    Oborevwori said that a key component of his administration’s policy thrust was to ensure a credible feedback mechanism.

    “For us to achieve our stated goals, MDAs must constantly monitor the progress of projects under their jurisdiction and formulate a mechanism for feedback and evaluation.

    “As evidenced from the projects that we have so far completed and embarked upon, this administration is process driven, result-oriented, and excellence-inclined.

    “Indeed, we are poised to advance the state into an era that will accelerate the realization of its full potentials through the M.O.R.E agenda.

    “Towards this end, the Commissioners are expected to sign a Performance Bond at the end of this retreat.

    “This is not meant to scare anybody. It is to serve as a motivation to stay focused on the deliverables that have been established,” he said.

    “As I stated in my inauguration speech, the M.O.R.E agenda is designed to foster inclusive and sustainable economic growth and private sector job creation.

    ”Also to strengthen the human capital, build an enabling infrastructure, bolster public financial management, and improve governance and accountability systems for improved service delivery.

    “The issues before us are simple – they are about improving the quality of life of our people, about building bridges of social cohesion, about giving our people hope of a better tomorrow, and about accelerated development.

    “To effectively achieve this target, it demands thought and action from me and all those who have the privilege to serve as elected officials, political appointees, or civil servants,” he said.

    Earlier, the Delta Deputy Governor, Sir Monday Onyeme, thanked the governor for organizing the retreat, adding that it would give participants insight into the philosophy and clear vision of the Agenda.

    Onyeme said that there was a new Sheriff in town whose agenda was geared towards reshaping the tools of governance for greater efficiency as encapsulated his M.O.R.E agenda.

    He urged participants to do things differently.

  • N100bn COVID-19 funds: Reps gives AGF 72 hours to submit report

    N100bn COVID-19 funds: Reps gives AGF 72 hours to submit report

    The House of Representatives has given a 72-hour ultimatum to the Accountant General of the Federation, Mrs Oluwatoyin Madein, demanding a comprehensive report on the utilisation of N100 billion COVID-19 intervention funds.

    The fund was allocated by President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration to Ministries, Departments, and Agencies between 2020 and 2022.

    Rep. Bamidele Salam, the Chairman, House Committee on Public Accounts, issued this ultimatum in Abuja on Wednesday.

    He expressed disappointment with the AGF’s failure to comply with the committee’s resolution to submit the report by October 27, 2023.

    The House had mandated the committee to investigate the expenditure related to COVID-19 interventions, particularly in the years 2020 to 2022.

    Salam stated, “A letter was sent to the Accountant General, requesting details of all disbursements according to the Appropriation Act and other interventions provided by the Central Bank of Nigeria to MDAs.

    He said the submission deadline was set for Oct. 27, adding that as of now, the committee had not received the requested information.

    He emphasised the importance of this document for guiding their investigation, while instructing the AGF to submit the report by Friday, November 3, 2023.

    The House’s resolution came in response to a motion regarding the alleged mismanagement of COVID-19 intervention funds from 2020 to 2022, which were allocated to various Ministries, Departments, and Agencies.

  • Beneficiaries complain as CBN set to recover COVID-19 intervention loans

    Beneficiaries complain as CBN set to recover COVID-19 intervention loans

    The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), is set to recover loans it granted some categories of Nigerians to ameliorate harsh socio-economic realities.

    The loan initiative involved is the Targeted Credit Facilities (TCF), granted to some  Nigerians in 2020 to cushion the economic effect of COVID-19.

    Some beneficiaries of the facility,  however, expressed concern about the manner of recovery.

    A beneficiary, Fatimah Alli, said that the sudden move to recover her N500,000 COVID-19 loan had worsened her financial challenges.

    “I got a loan of N500,000 in 2020 to cushion the effect economic effect of COVID-19.  But at that time we were assured that we will not be required to repay the money.

    “But recently, all the money in my bank account were removed by the CBN as part of the loan recovery drive,” she said.

    Another beneficiary of the TCF,  Abbas Sule, also complained about arbitrary loan deductions from his bank account.

    “When I was granted the loan facility in 2020, the bank official that processed the release through NIRSAL Microfinance Bank (NMFB) got a commission of N50,000, and I was paid N450,000.

    “Now they want me to repay N500,000,  that is not fair, ” he said.

    NMFB  recently called for the repayment of COVID-19 loans given to households and business operators across the country.

    The CBN had in March 2020, introduced the N50 billion TCF to support households and Micro, Small and Medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) that have been particularly hit hard by COVID-19.

    The loans were disbursed to beneficiaries by NIRSAL, an entity owned by CBN, at an interest rate of five per cent with a moratorium period that lasts till February 28, 2021.

    At the expiration of the moratorium, the interest rate of the facility reverts to nine per cent from March 1, 2021.

    According to NMFB in Its official Twitter handle, we have played our part. It is now your turn.

    The MFB revealed that it had given out loans worth N503 billion to more than 881,081 Nigerians and business operators to cushion the effects of the pandemic.

    It urged beneficiaries to take steps to repay the loans, as they were not given as grants.

    “You are expected to visit the nearest NIRSAL branch to obtain a loan repayment schedule.

    You must ensure that your loan account is always funded,” it said.

    NAN

  • NCDC confirms no new COVID-19 variants found in Nigeria

    NCDC confirms no new COVID-19 variants found in Nigeria

    The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has reported it is monitoring the new sub-variants of the Omicron variant of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, namely EG.5 and BA.2.86.  

    In a press release issued on Saturday and signed by Director General, Dr. Ifedayo Adetifa, the NCDC highlighted that the new subvariants have yet to make an appearance in Nigeria.  

    It confirmed that the new variants have already been reported in 51 countries including China, the United States of America, the Republic of Korea, Japan, Canada, Australia, Singapore, the United Kingdom, France, Portugal, and Spain.

    The statement reads partly: Our influenza sentinel surveillance sites continue to provide information on COVID-19 prevalence in patients with influenza-like illness and severe acute respiratory illness,” 

    “We have not observed any increase in the trend of COVID-19 in this patient group. We continue to carry out genomics surveillance even with the low testing levels and encourage testing locations in states to ensure their positive samples are sent on to the NCDC for sequencing.” 

    “Unrelated to the news of these emerging variants, the NCDC and partners are working on implementing an enhanced COVID-19 testing exercise in four states to obtain complementary and more detailed information about circulating variants in the country. In addition, COVID-19 rapid diagnostic kits are being distributed for the purpose of improving bi-directional COVID-19 testing.” 

    On Friday, United Kingdom announced the detection of its first case of the new COVID-19 variant, BA.2.86.

    It said the case was confirmed in an individual with no recent travel history, which suggests a degree of community transmission within the UK.

    The World Health Organisation (WHO) and the US health authorities had, on Thursday, said they were closely monitoring a new variant of COVID-19, although the potential impact of BA.2.86 is currently unknown.

    WHO designated the COVID-19 variant BA.2.86 as a ‘variant under monitoring’ due to the large number of mutations it carries.

    The World’s economy was practically shut down for months in 2020 following the emergence of COVID -19 in virtually all parts of the World.