Professor Mohammed Pate, the Minister of Health, announced that only ₦36 million of the ministry's ₦218 billion capital allocation for the fiscal year 2025 has been disbursed so far.
This revelation occurred during a budget defense meeting with lawmakers at the National Assembly, eliciting concerns regarding the execution of essential health infrastructure projects nationally.
Pate indicated that while the personnel budget had been fully utilized, capital projects had largely been put on hold due to significant delays in funding.
He remarked, “The personnel component of the budget has been fully spent, but capital projects are facing major hindrances due to lack of fund releases.”
The minister linked these funding delays to complications related to the cash planning system of the Accountant-General's Office and delays in the matching funds needed for donor-supported initiatives.
He elaborated, “Challenges related to cash planning and late counterpart payments have drastically impacted our capacity to execute capital projects.”
Amos Magaji, Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Healthcare Services, voiced his concerns over the matter, requesting enhanced transparency regarding donor funds.
Magaji urged the minister to provide detailed reports on the donor funds received by the ministry and the manner in which these funds have been utilized, highlighting the need for accountability and proper oversight.
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