From Ndubuisi Orji, Abuja
House of Representatives has said it will probe the utilization of the N62billion Federal Government intervention fund for HIV/ AIDS control programme, as well as donor funds for Leprosy, Tuberculosis (TB) and Malaria Control Programme during the immediate past administration.
The chairman, House Committee on HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis (TB) and Malaria, Amobi Ogah, who stated this, in Abuja, expressed delight that successes were being recorded in the fight against deadly diseases in the country.
Ogah, while speaking during an oversight visit by the Committee to the National Agency for AIDS Control (NACA), said the achievements recorded by the agency under the leadership of the Director General, Aliyu Gambo, was encouraging.
Nevertheless, members of the Committee stated that data compiled by the agency on the prevalence of the HIV/AIDS, across the country, was scary. Consequently, the implored NACA to intensify sensitization on the disease, especially in all the rural communities.
In a related development, the lawmakers expressed disappointment over the absence of the National Coordinators of National Malaria Control Programme and the National Tuberculosis (TB)and Leprosy Control Programmes during their oversight visit to the two agencies.
Ogah stated that the absence of the two top government, despite been notified ahead of time, during the committee’s visit to their respective agencies, was unacceptable. According to him, their actions show their disdain for the National Assembly.
The lawmaker, while stating that the House will review the laws establishing the agencies, added that it is obvious that heads of government agencies are the main problem of the country.