By Saminu Ibrahim/Onwe Wisdom
House of Representatives committee on Women Affairs and Social Development probing an Alleged diversion of N1.5billion funding for contracts which was allegedly diverted by principal officers of ministry has been sternly drilled for failure to comply with the provisions of the 2023 appropriation act.
The contractors who narrated their ordeals in the hands of the principal officials say they were denied mobilization to site while others lamented that they were denied payment after execution of contracts and issuance of certificate of completion by team of project supervisor(s) of the ministry, adding that enquiry from the auditor general office revealed that funding/payment for these contracts has been approved and released.
The ministry procurement officer confirmed the claims of the contractors as true when asked by the committee chairman, Hon. Kafilat Ogbarato to ascertain their claims.
Indeed, the Director of Finance of ministry, Mr. Aloy Ifeakandu during an interactive session with the committee on Thursday said he only comply with official directives from his superiors, saying the records are available.
The session followed petition by contractors of the ministry to the House of Representatives over none payment of contracts executed running into 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.
“Money for contractors have not been paid and money has been diverted, so how do you pay these contractors” She asked?
She said there is an ongoing probe of the ministry by the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) on overhead release of November/December, 2023 to the tune of N1.5bn.
The petitioners, according to Ogbara also alleged that the ministry purchased 7 tricycles for a military Barack in Abuja, an allegation the procurement officer of the ministry denied.
The committee also 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.
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 also ordered the ministry to stop all contract process in 2024, “until we resolve this matter”.
Additionally, the committee also sought to see the special account for the Chibok girls and the MoU.
“Nigeria is the only country we have and we as a representatives of the people will not allow any public servant to divert tax prayers fund for personal gain while the people suffer, the reputation of our of dear country Nigeria matter to us as legislature and Nigerians and so we will not accept it when people use the name of the ministry to collect fund from donor agencies for the purpose of empowerment but divert it to individual accounts” Ogbara affirmed.
“We want to see the account and documents” Ogbara added.