Civil Society Groups Tasks FG On Legislative Framework For Covid-19 Funds Management

By Zakaa Lazarus, Abuja.

Civil Society Organizations under the auspices of Women Advocates Research and Documentation centre ,(WARDC) BudgiT, among others have task the federal government to design a legislative framework to manage Covid-19 funds and donations.

The group in a policy brief signed by the Executive Director, Women Advocates Research and Documentation centre, Dr. Abiola Akiyode – Afolabi asked the government to improve public information on covid-19 resources
and funds received from international and domestic donors, and publish the list of beneficiaries in public.

Afolabi also urged the federal government to adopt a strategic communication approaches and work with risk communication experts to design a risk communication strategy for prevention and response, share information accordingly.

The group however worried over the federal government failure to demonstrate its fidelity in disbursing funds to citizens as there were reports of diversion of covid-19 resources and distribution of palliatives.

“The federal government did not carry the CSOs along while it was receiving Covid-19 donations and spending the funds.

“CSOs and local government have poor knowledge and poor attitude towards main risks associated with emergency support measures, and legal basis for receiving and distributing Covid-19 emergency response packages.

There is poor knowledge of Covid-19 pick time and points emergency support packages among citizens.

Afolabi further stressed the need to invest in knowledge sharing activities and building the capacity of CSOs on laws, channel for reporting fraud in disbursing funds and other relief materials for a transparent approach.