Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19 Chairman and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, on Monday admitted delay in the payment of the allowances of frontline health workers involved in the management of the pandemic.
The SGF, who spoke at a meeting with the House of Representatives Committee on Public Account, also explained that the PTF was not involved in the management of funds donated by the private sector and did not receive any cash donation from foreign donors.
He said the delay in the payment of the health workers was as a result of the discovery that the initial amount would not be sustainable, adding that negotiations with health workers on the new payment have been concluded.
Payments for April and May, he said, are currently being processed.
Mustapha, who was responding to a question on the truth behind the information that essential workers on the frontline were not being paid their correct money, said: “Yes, it is true. The negotiations got to a peak, but when the figures were looked at, it became quite impossible to be paid. So, they went back to the negotiating table.
“They have finally reached a decision and there is an agreement to pay them from the month of April and May. I think that was part of what you passed that was captured in the budget.”
On whether the management of funds donated by CACOVID is subject to public scrutiny, he said: “The way they operate, to the best of my knowledge because I interfaced with them, is that when they started, they had a steering committee and as chairman of the task force, I was privileged to be on the steering committee.
“They want to know our needs because if they don’t know our needs, they will not be able to supply the needs.
“So, in consultation with the Ministry of Health, the National Coordinator and Director-General, Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), we harmonised our needs and we sent it out to them.
