BudgIT accuses Ministry of Works of infraction in spending N9.3bn
BY MOTOLANI OSENI & STEPHEN GBADAMOSI
A non-governmental organisation (NGO) that specialises in monitoring government expenditures, BudgIT, has called attention to some questionable expenditures embarked upon by the Ministry of Works under former Governor David Umahi.
In a statement made available to journalists on Friday, BudgIT’s Communications Officer, Nancy Odimegwu, said the infractions were committed between June and December of last year.
“Tracka, BudgIT’s service delivery promotion platform, which allows citizens to collaborate, track and give feedback on public projects in their communities, has uncovered a total of N9.3 billion paid by the Federal Ministry of Works to FIMS Microfinance Bank Ltd. between June and December 2023 for 62 projects, including the construction of road projects across the country, among others.
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“Some of these projects, as revealed on the Govspend platform, include the payment of N1.4 billion in September 2023 for the construction of Yaba-Yangoje Road in the Federal Capital Territory; the payment of N1.2 billion in October 2023 for the rehabilitation of a 2km road from Oriawo-boroboro-oke-medina School of Science Road in Atiba, Oyo state; the payment of N1.2 billion in October 2023 for the rehabilitation of Kosobo-awe Junction Road in Oyo East LGA in Oyo state; and the payment of N1.2 billion between August and November 2023 for the rehabilitation of Ejule-otukpo Road in Benue State to mention a few.
“We request that the Honourable Minister of Works, David Umahi, tenders an explanation to Nigerians on how these repeated violations and infractions occurred in his office.
“In addition, we call on the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) to review the transactions for violating the Public Procurement Act 2007 and serve appropriate sanctions for breaches where identified.
“We call on the anti-graft agencies — the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC) — to question and probe these payments and prosecute the erring officers.
“We also call on Nigerians to pay attention to the disbursement of public funds using www.govspend.ng and report any irregularities,” BudgIT said.
