Reps C’ttee, Minister of Women Affairs in face-off over N1.5 alleged diversion

By Christiana Ekpa

The House of Representatives Committee on Women Affairs and Social Development has engaged in a face off with the Minister of women Affairs, Uju Kennedy over an alleged diversion of 1.5 billion naira meant for payment of contractors by official of the ministry.
The face off which occured during an investigative hearing by the Committee started when the Minister was asked to give account of how monies meant for contractors paid by the Accountant General office was expended by the ministry.
In her account the Minister said though 30 percent of the total sum meant for contractors where paid to her ministry but can not give account of how it was spent because the first Lady, Oluremi Tinubu had advised her to mind her business.
In response to the Minister’s reply, the committee members questioned the rationale behind her claim of not being aware of money that was paid to her ministry.
The Minister however said because the total sum was not released which was part of why the contractors are been owed.
“If not that the money of this year has been delayed, I’m sure we wouldn’t be here today. Because we could have paid out some of these liabilities. But since this year, no project money has been released to any ministry. And that was a constraint.”
A member of the Committee, Marie Nenemete Ebikake, however questioned the minister on the African First Lady Peace Mission project of about 500 million naira, asking the minster to tell the Committee how the money was utilized, where the project was located and those involved.
“Honorable Minister and Permanent Secretary with Director Finance and Admin, last time when you came, that was on Thursday, we did raise an issue of African First Lady Peace Mission projects. Unfortunately, we didn’t get any concrete answer to the issue.
“It was carried over to today. So now that we are here, Honorable Minister, could you please educate the committee on the functions of African First Lady Peace Mission projects, taking into cognizance of funds allocated for the project in the past. Year 2020, 500 million,2021, 225 million.2022, 500 million. 2023, 150 million.Where is the office situated and the organogram?
In her response, the Minister however explained that the 150 million naira that was appropriated in 2023 was eventually given to the former first lady, Aisha Buhari who eventually told her it was meant for the purchase of generator.
“About the First Lady’s funds. The 500 million you were talking about, I wasn’t there when it happened. When I came in, I saw it on the appropriation act. And I went to my First Lady. We discussed. She said that particular money was not meant for her.
“That it was meant for the former First Lady because that was when that money was allocated. And the former First Lady later called me and said they wanted to use it and buy generator. And in the process, she was out of the country.
“It took her a while. She came back, called me, and she brought the person that was going to come and organize how they would get the generator. And I introduced that person to the procurement officer then, who is now retired.
“So that they could work it out according to the rules and regulations of procurement. And they’ve been on it. Once in a while, I talk with the First Lady to find out what’s going on. And that’s the last I heard of that.
At this point members of the committee were surprise that the Minister could not identify the contractors or address of the Contractors who executed the African First Lady Peace Mission project.