Concerns have been raised over the execution of vital health infrastructure projects across the country after the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare revealed that it had only received ₦36 million of its ₦218 billion capital budget for the 2025 fiscal year.
During a budget defense meeting with National Assembly lawmakers, Health Minister Professor Mohammed Pate revealed the information.
Professor Pate informed the MPs that although the ministry had fully utilized its human budget, significant financing delays had caused capital projects to virtually stop.
“Capital projects are facing serious setbacks because releases have not been made, but the personnel component of the budget has been fully utilized,” he said.
The minister blamed the delay on issues with the cash planning system of the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation and delays in counterpart money needed for programs financed by donors.
He clarified that “the execution of our capital projects has been significantly impacted by issues surrounding cash planning and delayed counterpart contributions.”
Amos Magaji, the chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Healthcare Services, responded by expressing alarm about the state of affairs and calling for more transparency on donor funding.
Magaji emphasized the need for openness and efficient oversight and asked the minister to formally provide detailed information about donor money received by the ministry and how they were used.
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