Donations made to the Federal Government by private persons and corporate entities towards tackling the rampaging Covid-19 pandemic would be well managed and accounted for by the Presidential Task Force, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and whichever institutions the government or the donors select to manage the funds, the Buhari Media Organisation (BMO), has said.
In a statement signed by Niyi Akinsiju, its Chairman and Cassidy Madueke, its Secretary, responding to the People’s Democratic Party’s (PDP) call to constitute an “Eminent Nigerians Group” to manage donations from the private sector, BMO said the Federal Government did not need advice from charlatans whose minds were already conceiving how these funds could be looted.
“The President Buhari administration does not wear the same soiled garments of the PDP: garments of corruption, mismanagement and misappropriation of funds. Whatever funds the government receives, through the Presidential Task Force on Covid-19, the CBN or any other institution assigned to receive and manage these funds would be managed with extreme prudence and its expenditure publicized.
“Nigerians can be rest assured that there would be no case of misappropriation under President Muhammadu Buhari. Beneficiaries will be carefully selected, health projects, too, which will be put in place using these funds would be strategically chosen and implemented. These – beneficiaries and projects – would cut across all regions of the country, even while the focus is placed on areas where there are more cases than others, and where there is a dire need of interventions.
“The PDP, its members and affiliates, have no moral standing to speak on issues of management – whether of finance or governance. They have a report card that is boldly imprinted with FAILURE on both scores. Therefore they are in no position to teach anyone accountability or funds management.”
The group stated that the PDP in its 16-year stint of administering the country was found wanting on how it managed both government funds, recovered loots and donations made to it.
“The PDP is yet to provide any accounts of how it made use of billions of dollars it received as a refund of the Abacha loot. Worse, even funds that were donated in billions of Naira to it for the construction of its own headquarters were re-looted by its members.
“Even if the President found it wise to invite private individuals, beyond those currently overseeing the management of the funds, to participate in the management of these funds, it would be those who have no relationship whatsoever with the PDP — a party whose members are notorious for pilfering any little thing they are entrusted with.”
BMO stated further that the Buhari Government, despite the impact of COVID-19, is remaining focused on delivering on development for the country and improving the welfare of all Nigerians.
“Even as revenue dwindles, the government of President Buhari will not relax on its promises. Infrastructure and revamping social amenities would continue unabated. So also the welfare of workers is paramount: salaries would be paid, in full and on time. This is what President Buhari is committed to doing.”