Kano State Covid-19 corruption has been reported in the past few weeks. In particular, there are allegations of diversion of palliative materials meant for the indigent populace during the covid-19 lockdown.
For this reason, an anti-graft agency to monitor the distribution of the items was commissioned under the Public complaints and Anti-corruption Commission.
A statement issued by the Executive Chairman of the State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission (PCACC), Muhuyi Magaji Rimingado Esq, acknowledged receipt of the complaints. The complaints bothered on lack of transparency, corruption and mismanagement of the palliative measures.
Most of the items are donations from philanthropists and individuals. through fund raising. The fund-raising was monitored by the state covid-19 committee under the leadership of Prof Muhammed Yahuza Bello.
While reacting to the allegations, Rihingado said,
“To set the records straight, the commission appreciates and commends the efforts of Bello – led committee in all that they are doing …by listening to the public response during this trying period and channeling the genuine claims to the appropriate authorities for necessary action.
“The claim of lack of transparency is not only untrue, but misleading and aims to bring the effort of the Government in tackling the pandemic to disrepute.
“We therefore appeal to the general pubic to disregard such information as fake news.
Following the various complaints however, Kano state government replaced Muhammed Bello with Mahmoud Balarabe as chairman and Dr Muhammed Mustapha as co-chair.
Press Release on the developments:
A task force was also instituted to handle the day-to-day running of the commission.
The task force coordinator, Bashir Kabir said the agency’s task started on the 20th of April.
Official duties of the task force:
In line with its mandate, under the law, the Public Complaints and Anti – Corruption Commission (PCACC) identified covid-19 situation with the probable Corruption Risk (CR).
“Transparency ad accountability are easily shoved under the carpet in the confusion of the general public and due to lack of monitoring.
“The tendency of misuse or politicisation of relief materials aimed as palliative to all citizens, human rights violations, and misappropriation and or misconduct by the health workers and essential workforce as said to have been witnessed in other parts of the country under the lockdown restrictions is becoming prominent in all affected areas.
“In order to avoid the occurrence of this in Kano State, in particular, the Commission came up with PCACC COVID 19 corruption Taskforce to address the situation.”
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