News
Controversial N206bn: Minister Reverses , Says Money Now Meant For Military Equipment
Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Hajiya Sadiya Umar-Farouq yesterday reversed herself on the controversial N 206 billion inserted in her ministry’s budget
She had told the Senate at a previous budget defence engagement that the N206billion inserted in her ministry’s 2023 budget was by the Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning and didn’t know the purpose for which it was meant
But at Thursday’s interaction, she said the money is now meant for the purchase of military equipment.
Recall that Umar-Farouq had recently disowned the source of the whooping amount inserted in her ministry’s budget when she appeared before the Senate Committee on Special Duties, chaired by Senator Yusuf Abubakar Yusuf (APC Taraba Central).
But in her response to a question by a member of the committee, Senator Lilian Ekwunife (PDP Anambra Central) on the insertion, the minister said she was surprised when investigation by her at the Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning revealed that the money was meant for the military equipment.
“On the N206billion, when we saw it, we didn’t understand what it was meant for because the explanation wasn’t clear.
“If you put N206billion in the Humanitarian Affairs Ministry’s budget and the narration is purchase of military equipment, definitely something is wrong.
“That’s why I said I’m not going to say anything about it until we get clarification from the Ministry of Finance.
“If we had requested for N206billion for a different project and then in the appropriation bill, it is reading something else, we will not own it,” Umar-Farouq stressed.
When the minister was pressed further whether she requested N206billion for another project, she came with another narration.
The minister simply said, “It is not exactly that way, and that’s why we need that clarity from Finance ministry.”
The Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Sani Gwarzo, however, courted the wrath of the committee’s chairman when he described the padding as a minor mistake.
His utterance did not go down well with Senator Yusuf who shouted at him and asked him to sit down.
The minister was at the National Assembly last week to defend her ministry’s 2023 budget before the Senate Committee on Special Duties.
She explained that the ministry requested for some projects for the North East Development Commission, NEDC and National Social Safety Net Project in 2022 budget but that funds for the proposed projects were not released.
She, however, said the ministry was surprised that the money inserted, was now ten times higher than the 2023 budget of the ministry.
One of the committee members, Senator Elisha Abbo (APC Adamawa North), had discovered the anomaly and asked the minister to explain the N206billion in her ministry’s budget.
The minister expressed surprise and said, “Yes we made mention of the projects for 2022 which was not released and part of it was part for the NEDC.
“The money was not released and now we have seen it recurring by almost 10 folds and we are also going to clarify from the ministry of finance to know why this increase despite the fact that the previous year, the money was not even released for the project.
“So we will get the details then send to you on that.
“On upscaling of the National Social Safety Net Project. These projects under the national social safety nests, the condition cash transfer, the updating of the national social register and the rapid response register as well to cushion the effect of inflation.
“This is all I can say for this. I cannot really give full details of how this amount is going to be utilised because it is something that was negotiated between the ministry of finance and world bank.”
Senator Abbo had expressed shock at the Minister’s response and said that the country would not continue to borrow money and plunge the country into debt.
“This is serious. We cannot continue to borrow money and plunge this country into debt for our children to come and pay without investing in what they will see,” he said.
Chairman of the committee, therefore, moved a motion to summon Minister of Finance, Mrs. Zainab Ahmed to come and give explanation about the N206billion inserted in the ministry budget.
Senator Yusuf said: ” I want to move a motion that the minster of finance should appear before this committee to furnish this committee with details of what they intend to do with N206 billion in 2023 budget.
“Now that the Minister has said that she is not in charge of negotiation, of course she is not, the Minister of Finance is responsible.”
News
Press Release : Okpebholo Denies Sacking Civil Servants As Alleged By PDP
The statement issued by the factional chapter of the PDP in Edo is a joke taken too far. The PDP is yet to recover from the crushing defeat it suffered during the 21st September governorship election in Edo State.
Governor Monday Okpebholo, since his inauguration on Tuesday, has since hit the ground running and trying to fix the mess created by the immediate-past MoU governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki.
For the records, the statement released on Wednesday by the Governor of Edo State, Senator Monday Okpebholo, did not sack any civil servants. Besides, no Governor sacks civil servants through a media pronouncement.
Those asked to go were appointees of the last administration in the State. The factional PDP in Edo State is ignorant, and its members need to be gainfully engaged.
Anyone in the State’s civil service that is an appointee has nothing to fear. But if you are a product of the last MoU government and appointed by Obaseki, the rule of law must stand.
Signed:
Fred Itua,
Chief Press Secretary to Edo State Governor
News
Edo Gov Directs Police Commissioner To End Cult Clashes Within 48hrs
…….Bans Drivers Welfare Association, Network Empowerment
Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, on Thursday, directed the state Commissioner of Police to halt the violent cult clashes in the State within 48 hours.
The Governor also banned Drivers Welfare Association and Network Empowerment in the State, in a statement signed by Fred Itua,
Chief Press Secretary to the Governor
He directed the Commissioner of Police to instruct his officers and men across the various formations to immediately swing into action and halt the unnecessary bloodbath.
On Wednesday, the Governor had ordered the immediate and indefinite suspension of collection of all revenues in Edo, especially in motor parks and others, until further notice
The Governor had noted that he would review the issues surrounding the collections soon and decide on the way forward.
“As the Governor of Edo State, cultism can not be allowed here. We must end it and very fast too. I have ordered the Commissioner of Police to halt the madness within 48 years. All those involved in the killings should be stopped.
“Some associations that are causing trouble in the State, especially in Benin City, cannot be allowed to operate here. They all remain banned, and the Commissioner of Police must ensure that his men carry out this instruction by giving teeth to this ban
“Edo must be safe. That was one of my key priorities during the campaigns, and I plan to ensure that we restore it at all costs. We will not fold our arms and allow them to create unnecessary tension,” the statement read.
News
Gov Okpebholo Orders Immediate Freezing Of State Bank Accounts
……..Abolishes Roads and Bridges Ministry, Reverts to Ministry of Works
Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State, on Thursday, ordered the freezing of all State-owned bank accounts with immediate effect, until further notice.
The Governor has also warned commercial banks, heads of Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to comply with the order immediately without any delays.
In a statement signed by
Fred Itua, Chief Press Secretary to Edo State Governor, Okpebholo warned that anyone, including heads of MDAs and civil servants who flout the order will be severely punished.
“All bank accounts in all the commercial banks have been frozen. Commercial banks must comply with the order and ensure that not a dime is taken out of the confers of Government until there is a further notice.
“Heads of Ministries, Departments and Agencies must comply with this order and ensure that there is a full compliance without any further delays.
“After the necessary investigations and reconciliations, the Governor will do the needful and decide on the way forward. For now, this order stands,” the statement read.
In the meantime, the Governor has asked the relevant Government agencies to reverse the Ministry of Roads and Bridges to the Ministry of Works. The reversed infamous name was conceptualised during the administration of Godwin Obaseki.
Governor Okpebholo, said since no bridges or good roads were constructed by the administration of Obaseki, it is therefore absurd to maintain such a name.
The Governor, has therefore ordered relevant government agencies to implement the new order and immediately reflect the new name.
“It is funny how you can call a Government institution Ministry of Roads and Bridges. Ironically, no single bridge was built by the same administration. Not even a pedestrian bridge.
“In the coming days, we will look at more actions taken by the previous administration and more decisions will be taken that will be done in the best interest of the State,” the statement concluded.
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