The House of Representatives has opened a probe into a missing N1.5 billion earmarked for the payment of contractors at the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs.
Its Committee on Women Affairs have also called on the ministry to stop all contract process in 2024, pending the outcome of.its investigations.
Concerned contractors working with the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs petitioned the House of Representatives over non payment of billions of naira for contracts executed.
This is what spurred an investigative hearing by the Committee on Women Affairs.
The petitioners alleged that N1.5 billion meant to pay them was diverted by some principal officers in the ministry.
The Committee says it is shocked about the outcome of some of its findings on the subject matter, including records from the office of the Accountant General of the Federation that the N1.5 billion had been used to offset debts owed the Contractors.
The committee’s Chairman, Kafilat Ogbara, expressed concerns that the ministry allegedly initiated new contracts not captured in the 2023 budget and diverted the 1.5 billion meant to pay old contractors.
She also accused the ministry of awarding fresh contracts, not captured in the 2023 Appropriation to 15 states.
The Minister, Uju Kennedy-Ohaneye was conspicuously absent and the Committee was not pleased with her absence.
The Director of Finance, Aloy Ifekandu in the Ministry said he complies with official directives from his superiors and that every financial transaction is on record.
The petitioners alleged that the ministry purchased 7 tricycles for a military Barrack in Abuja, an allegation a procurement officer of the ministry denied.
In his submission, the Permanent Secretary, Gabriel Aduda exonerated himself from any underhand dealings.
He said in 2023, the Ministry had a total budget of N13.6billion, but N3.4billion, translating to 25 percent was relelased.
Another allegation against the ministry is the signing of a memorandum of understanding with a University in Nigeria for the payment of school fees for Chibok girls for seven years.
The Minister of Women Affairs and Social Devlopment, Uju Kennedy-Ohaneye is to appear before the committee next Tuesday to provide more insights into the subject of investigation.
