By Christiana Ekpa
The House of Representatives has resolved to investigate the use of $232 million in World Bank loans obtained under the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari.
The decision followed the adoption of a motion moved by Chike Okafor on the House floor yesterday.
In presenting the motion, Okafor explained that the loan, taken in 2018, was intended to improve nutrition among young people under the Accelerating Nutrition Results in Nigeria, (ANRiN), programme.
He stated that the funds were allocated to support nutrition programs in Abia, Akwa Ibom, Gombe, Kaduna, Kano, Kogi, Kwara, Nasarawa, Niger, Oyo, and Plateau states.
However, the lawmaker expressed concerns that available evidence does not indicate the funds were used effectively, as malnutrition remains prevalent in the targeted states despite the programme.
“The programme so far has been described as ‘water, water everywhere, but not a drop to drink’—a promising initiative to tackle malnutrition but seemingly yielding miraculous and ineffective outcomes. This is evident from current reports and indicators in Nigeria, despite the massive loan from the World Bank,” Okafor said.
He urged the House to summon the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Development, the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), the World Bank, and representatives from the 12 beneficiary states to provide explanations.
The motion was adopted unanimously by the House.
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