ABUJA – The Nigerian’s Federal House of Representatives Committee on Women Affairs and Social Development is investigating the alleged diversion of N1.5 billion. This sum, intended for the payment of contractors, was reportedly misappropriated by principal officers of the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development.
During an interactive session with the committee on Thursday, Mr. Aloy Ifeakandu, the Director of Finance of the ministry, stated that he complies strictly with official directives from his superiors and that all relevant records are available.
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The session was convened following a petition by contractors of the Ministry to the House of Representatives regarding the non-payment of executed contracts, amounting to billions of Naira.
Speaking during the interactive session, chairman of the committee, Hon. Kafilat Ogbara alluded that the ministry initiated new contracts not captured in the 2023 budget and diverted (N1.5bn) being funds for old contractors.
She added that the ministry while owing contractors, awarded fresh contract in 15 states of the federation, similarly not captured in the 2023 appropriation.
“Funds for contractors have not been disbursed, and there have been instances of fund diversion. How are these contractors supposed to be paid?” she questioned.
She mentioned that the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) is currently investigating the ministry over the release of N1.5 billion in overhead for November and December 2023.
The petitioners, according to Ogbara also alleged that the ministry purchased 7 tricycles for a military Barack in Abuja, an allegation a procurement officer of the ministry denied.
Continuing, the committee noted that the ministry signed a memorandum of understanding MoU with the America University of Nigeria, Yola for the payment of Chibok girls school fees for seven years.
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Responding to some of the allegations, the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Ambassador Gabriel Aduda who exonerated himself, explained that in “2023 we had total budget of N13.6billion, total release was N3.4billion, translating to 25 percent, budget utilization N3.4billion, while unreleased balance stood at N10.2billion”.
However, the DFA, said “I resumed at the ministry in September 2023, I wouldn’t know what happened before I came.
“The individual contractors have their files, it can be traced, as at the time I took over, there was no balance in the vote” he said.
Amidst the controversy, correspondence from the office of the Accountant General of the federation revealed that the said N1.5 billion has been released to the ministry.
“Since the minister came on board, no payment has been made, the permanent secretary said the minister ordered him not to pay any contractor” the petitioners said.
Meanwhile, the committee has summoned the minister of women affairs and social development, Uju Kennedy-Ohaneye to appear on Tuesday.
“We are giving till Tuesday for the ministry to bring all documents to come and defend where the N1.5bn disappeared to”.
The committee has directed the ministry to halt all contract processes for 2024 “until we resolve this matter.”
Furthermore, the committee has requested access to the special account for the Chibok girls and the associated Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).
“We want to see the account and documents” Ogbara added.
