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The House of Representatives has launched a probe into the N1.5 billion fund meant for the payment of contractors, but allegedly diverted by officials of the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs.
The House Committee on Women Affairs commenced the investigation in Abuja, following series of petitions by the contractors over non-payment of contracts executed.
Chairman of the committee, Rep. Kafilat Ogbara, said that the ministry initiated new contracts not captured in the 2023 budget and diverted N1.5 billion being funds for old contractors.
She added that the ministry, while owing contractors, awarded fresh contracts in 15 states of the federation, which she alleged was not captured in the 2023 appropriation.
According to her, ”Money for contractors has not been paid and money has been diverted, so how do you pay these contractors?"
She stated that the ministry signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the America University of Nigeria, Yola for the payment of Chibok girls school fees for seven years.
The Director of Finance and Administration in the ministry, Mr. Aloy Ifeakandu, said he only complied with official directives from his superiors, saying the records are available.
He 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.”
Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Mr Gabriel Aduda, exonerated himself, saying that, “in 2023, we had a total budget of N13.6billion, while the total release was N3.4billion.”
This, according to him, translates to 25 per cent budget utilisation, while the unreleased balance stood at N10.2billion.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation revealed that the said N1.5 billion had been released to the ministry.
Meanwhile, the committee has summoned the Minister of Women Affairs, Uju Kennedy-Ohaneye to appear before it on Tuesday, July 9.
The committee also ordered the ministry to stop all contract process in 2024, until the matter is resolved, while demanding for the special account for the Chibok girls and the MoU.
