By Crispina Cummings
Chairman of the sub-committee on finance in parliament has warned that they “will go after any and everybody who uses Ebola funds for other selfish purposes”.
Hassan Sheriff of Constituency 53 in Port Loko district was addressing the House just after the ratification of a US $28 million grant for government’s Ebola emergency response project by the International Development Association.
He said the money was huge and therefore cautioned the response committee to use it judiciously and in line with the provisions of the Anti-Corruption Act.
Deputy minority leader, Ansu Kaikai, MP, thanked the benefactors for the grant saying Ebola had affected the country badly. He expressed hope that the Ebola response plan would speed up the committee’s activities.
While presenting the grant agreement to the House, minister of state in the ministry of finance and economic development, Foday Mansaray, said the objectives of the agreement included the provision of essential drugs and medical supplies and the eradication of Ebola.
He said the ratification would pave the way for government to operationalise the project, which would include support for case management, burial and surveillance teams among others. He said the grant made provision for food and basic supplies to quarantined homes.
Paramount Chief Victor Kebbie, MP, of Pujehun said more attention should be paid to the fight against Ebola than monies being given to government by the international community. He warned the public not to politicise the outbreak and asked them to cooperate with government in the fight.
Majority leader, Ibrahim Bundu, MP, said the intervention was timely and commended the media and civil society organisations for monitoring the utilisation of public funds and for demanding accountability.
(C) Politico 23/09/14
