CLARIFICATION OF ISSUES CONTAINED IN THE PUBLICATION ON PURPORTED FUND MISAPPROPRIATION BY NACA

The attention of the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA) has been drawn to a report regarding the purported misappropriation of $19.6 million worth of COVID-19 procurement grants awarded to Nigeria by the Global Fund.

This Report, is lacking in facts, misleading to the public and capable of inflicting reputational damage on the country

The Global Fund, an international financing and partnership organisation has worked closely with NACA for several years, to end the HIV/AIDs epidemic and also to enable the country achieve the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals. This mutual relationship has been strengthened because of NACA’s demonstration of high-level integrity and capacity for transparency, accountability and efficient management of resources.

It is on verifiable record that under NACA Procurement processes, especially through the Global Fund, there is zero tolerance for fraud because of the layers of filtering of the process and compliance culture already established.

All processes are guided by the PPA 2007, the Global Fund Manual and extant circulars respectively.

In addition to internal controls and supervision in NACA, all procurement undertaken are subjected to verification and clearance by the Fiscal agent embedded in NACA by the Global Fund as well as final approval and continuous supervision by the Global Fund Country Team in Geneva. Needless to add that all processes are finally reviewed and signed off by the Inspector General’s Office as required by law.

NACA hereby appeals to the general public to disregard the publication as it is misleading and capable of destroying the well-established relationship with the Global Fund. NACA assures all international partners of consistency in transparency especially in the management of resources.

NACA similarly assures that it is not distracted and remains focused on achieving the 95-95-95 targets by the year 2030.

Media Contact

Toyin Aderibigbe, Head, Public Relations and Protocol, NACA.

Tel: +234 (0) 7036611266, Email: [email protected]