Presidency debunks claims of disbursing N135bln for COVID-19 to governors in 2023

The Presidency has debunked claims by Mr. Femi Falana (SAN) that President Bola Tinubu approved the disbursement of N135 billion to governors for COVID-19 in December 2023.

In a statement on Wednesday via the official X handle of the President, the post stated that “Mr. Falana has a strong reputation for exaggerations and embellishments.”

According to the Presidency, the money that he attempted to scandalize was released to address the social and economic crisis created by COVID-19.

The statement reads: “Contrary to the wrong impression of wasteful and frivolous spending being conveyed to the public by Mr. Falana, it should be stressed that it is the Lagos lawyer who needs to get himself acquainted with the issue in contention.

“Post-Covid-19, the World Health Organisation and World Bank are still supporting countries to strengthen their health systems and emergency preparedness so nations can be in a much better position to deal with other public health emergencies that may occur in the future.

“Just last year, there was an outbreak of diphtheria, monkeypox, and Lassa fever in more than 20 states in Nigeria that the government effectively contained.

“In a bid to further manage the aftermath of COVID-19 in line with the framework of the WHO and the World Bank, the Federal Government, in December 2023, disbursed N135.4 billion to the states following an independent assessment of results achieved under the Nigeria COVID-19 Action Recovery and Economic Stimulus Programme.

“The money, which Mr. Falana attempted to scandalize in the viral video, was released to address the social and economic crisis created by COVID-19.

“This is not peculiar to Nigeria. Every country in the world today is still dealing with many socio-economic problems caused by COVID-19.

“The aim of the NG-CARES Programme backed by the World Bank, which is being implemented in all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, is to mitigate the economic and social shocks faced by vulnerable people who are yet to get their livelihoods back as a result of the lockdown occasioned by the pandemic. The project is structured as one that delivers results.

“Only states that have implemented according to the laid-down procedures prescribed in the Financing Agreement, the Funds Release Policy, and the Independent Verification Agent Protocol get reimbursement for the money already spent.”