The Federal Government has described as misleading and inaccurate, reports published in a section of the media alleging Nigeria’s indictment by the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization (GAVI) over “alleged misuse of vaccine funds for program activities under the National Primary Health Care Development Agency NPHCDA.”
Reacting, the Supervising Minister of Health, Dr. Khaliru Alhassan, posited that the reports were based on an “incomplete and unilateral report of the Cash Program Audit (CPA) commissioned by GAVI, which did not contain Nigeria’s response, as is the custom in bilateral and multilateral relationships”.
A statement issued by the Director of Information in the Ministry of Health, Mrs Ayo Adesugba, explained that the report implied that Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization, has withdrawn its cash program support to Nigeria.
She said “It must be stated clearly, that nothing could be further from the truth as GAVI and Nigeria, represented by the Federal Ministry of Health signed a letter of understanding on 17 October, 2014, aimed at further improving the working relationship between the two parties for support in systems strengthening, in order to enhance transparency and accountability.
“The Ministry is committed to ensuring that immunization activities are carried out effectively and transparently as buttressed by Nigeria’s success and commendation by WHO, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and the International Board for the Monitoring of Polio (IMB), in curtailing the occurrence of the Wild Polio Virus in Nigeria.
“We therefore urge the media to ensure that their reports are accurate and balanced. The doors of the Hon. Minister are always wide open to journalists who wish to cross check their stories.”
