The House of Representatives Committee On Women Affairs and Social Development has summoned the minister overseeing the ministry, Uju Kennedy-Ohaneye, to appear on Tuesday regarding the outstanding debt of N1.5 billion to contractors.
The committee has also instructed the Ministry of Women’s Affairs to halt all contract procedures for 2024 until the location of the funds is ascertained.
Following presentations by the Permanent Secretary and other ministry officials during the committee’s investigative hearing on Thursday, Chairperson Rep. Kafilat Ogbara issued the directive.
The committee is probing the alleged misappropriation of N1.5 billion earmarked for contractor payments after receiving complaints from contractors about non-payment for their services to the ministry.
Chairperson Ogbara revealed that the ministry has instigated new contracts not included in the 2023 budget and purportedly diverted the allocated N1.5 billion for outstanding contractor payments.
She expressed dismay that the ministry awarded new contracts in 15 states that were not part of the 2023 Appropriation while still owing contractors.
Ogbara also accused the ministry of procuring seven tricycles for a military barrack in Abuja.
The legislator stated, “Contractors have not been compensated and funds have been misappropriated. How do you intend to settle these contractors?”
She also disclosed an ongoing investigation by the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) into the ministry’s allocation of N1.5 billion for overhead expenses in November/December 2023.
Earlier, the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Ambassador Gabriel Aduda, clarified that in 2023, the total budget was N13.6 billion, with a release of N3.4 billion, representing 25 percent utilization, and an unreleased balance of N10.2 billion.
The ministry’s Director of Finance, Aloy Ifeakandu, mentioned that he assumed his position in September 2023 and was not privy to previous occurrences.
He mentioned, “Individual contractors have their documentation, which can be traced. Upon my assumption of duties, there was no outstanding balance in the account.”
He reiterated that he adhered to official instructions from his superiors and assured the availability of records.
