Atiku in a statement urged President Bola Tinubu’s administration to provide transparency on how the intervention fund would be allocated.
He emphasised the importance of accountability, stressing that every kobo must be properly utilised to strengthen the country’s healthcare system.
According to the former Vice President, there have been bizarre claims of animals being held accountable for missing public funds in recent years, adding that some of these claims were never investigated or punished to deter future offenders.
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Atiku further said the Federal Government has to be deliberate about putting mechanisms in place for public audit and accountability in its $1.07bn budgetary appropriation in the health sector.
He criticised the Federal Government for failing to provide a clear framework detailing how over $1bn would be spent in the primary health sector.
Atiku noted that while healthcare investment was essential for improving access to quality services, the government has a moral duty to disclose how these funds will be utilised.
The former Vice President stated that the Federal Government plans to expend a whopping $1.07bn in the primary health sector- the amount in addition to the N2.48tn earlier proposed for the health sector in the initial budget draft.
Atiku added that Nigerians deserve to know the details of these loans and how the funds will be spent. The budget should be accompanied by a clear policy framework explaining its disbursement.