Nigeria’s former Finance Minister, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, has called governments across the world to be demonstrate transparency and accountability amid the coronavirus pandemic.

She regrets that many countries are battling corruption in the procurement of medical supplies including personal protective equipment.

The former Nigerian minister of Finance urges all governments to “publish all tenders and all contracts” and “companies receiving funds should not be anonymous”.

Okonjo-iweala stated this in a report published on Bloomberg titled ‘To Beat Covid-19, Governments Need to Open Up’ published on Bloomberg.

Recalling her tenure as a two-time minister, She said while serving with the President Olusegun Obasanjo and President Goodluck Jonathan’s administrations, she worked hard to open up information and tackle corruption, saving billions of dollars that were channeled to other priorities.

The Nigerian candidate for the position of director-general at the World Trade Organisation said, “Getting medical equipment, and eventually vaccines, to those that need them most poses a major governance challenge. Already, many countries are battling price gouging, collapsing supply chains and even corruption in the procurement of supplies, including personal protective equipment. Out of desperation, governments have contracted with suppliers who have no track record of delivering the equipment they need. Too often those suppliers have failed.

“The only way to make emergency procurement fast and efficient is to do it in the open by publishing all tenders and all contracts.

“This openness should extend to the emergency budgets that have been established to fund healthcare systems and economic stimulus packages. Even in normal times, finance ministries need to publish their budgets in a way that encourages accountability and citizen engagement. Right now, it is even more important to reassure taxpayers that funds are being spent on the right priorities.

Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala currently serve on the board of many reputable international organisation including Gavi.