EFCC, ICPC Called To Probe NPHCDA For Alleged N380m Contractor Payments

The Nigerian anti-corruption coalition bodies have urged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to investigate the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) for allegedly paying N380 million to contractors without clear project descriptions.

The group, in a press release signed by Mr. Adamu Musa and made available to journalist Lafia, called for immediate action, adding that such transactions undermine the government’s commitment to financial transparency.

According to a report published on the 7th of October, 2024, by the Foundation of Investigative Journalism (FIJ), “On September 14, the NPH  CDA disbursed about N380 million to various contractors but failed to provide any specific details regarding what the payments were for,” the statement read.

“This contravenes the 2021 directive on the Open Treasury Portal, which mandates that all federal agencies disclose detailed information about payments exceeding N5 million.”

According to data sourced from BudgIT’s Govspend platform, which mirrors the federal government’s Open Treasury Portal, payments to five contractors on that day raised concerns due to the lack of transparency.