The Home of Representatives has initiated an investigation into the alleged mismanagement of N350 billion within the implementation of the Accelerating Diet Ends in Nigeria (ANRiN) mission funded by World {Bank}.
The decision adopted a movement introduced by Rep. Chike Okafor (APC-Imo) through the plenary on Thursday.
Rep. Chike Okafor (APC-Imo) raised considerations over the alleged mismanagement and misapplication of the $232 million mortgage allotted to ANRiN throughout a movement on the Home of Representatives plenary.
In keeping with Okafor, the programme, whereas well-intentioned, seems to have yielded ineffective outcomes, as mirrored in current vitamin indicators.
“Involved that the programme thus far has been alleged to be ‘water, water in every single place however no water to drink,’ a stupendous programme for fixing malnutrition challenges, nevertheless it has appeared to supply miraculous and clearly ineffective outcomes,” he stated.
Okafor highlighted findings from the 2023/2024 Nigerian Demographic Well being Survey, which indicated worsening nutrition-specific outcomes, together with a rise in under-five stunting and malnutrition.
The Accelerating Diet Ends in Nigeria (ANRiN) programme is a World {Bank}-funded, performance-based initiative aimed toward addressing malnutrition in Nigeria.
The mission, established in 2018, focuses on bettering vitamin for weak {groups}, together with pregnant and lactating girls, adolescent ladies, and youngsters below 5 in 12 states throughout Nigeria.
ANRiN operates with a $232 million mortgage to offer high quality and cost-effective vitamin companies, with a goal completion date of December 2024.
The ANRiN programme spans 12 states throughout Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones: Abia, Akwa Ibom, Gombe, Kaduna, Kano, Kogi, Kwara, Nasarawa, Niger, Oyo, and Plateau.
Regardless of the numerous funding, the programme’s affect stays in query, prompting lawmakers to demand accountability.
Okafor emphasised the significance of evaluating the programme to find out the extent of mismanagement and determine accountable events.
“An investigation will decide the extent of the alleged mismanagement of funds within the ANRiN programme, consider its affect, determine accountable events, and suggest accountability measures for future $50 million interventions,” he stated.
Speaker Tajudeen Abbas directed the Committees on Diet and Meals Safety, Finance, Aids, Mortgage and Debt Administration to analyze the allegations and report again inside 4 weeks.
The investigation goals to make clear the programme’s execution and guarantee accountability for the funds utilized.
