In a climate of mounting concerns over a lack of transparency in budgetary allocations, the House of Representatives Committee on Women Affairs and Social Development has flexed its muscles, compelling Minister Uju Kennedy-Ohaneye to appear before them by Tuesday, July 9th. The Minister is facing intense scrutiny from the Committee regarding her Ministry’s apparent inability to account for a significant sum earmarked for the settlement of payments owed to contractors.
This development stems from an investigative hearing convened by the Committee in response to a petition submitted by disgruntled contractors. The contractors allege that the Ministry has withheld payment for projects they have demonstrably completed, despite having a designated budgetary allocation for such purposes. At the helm of the Committee, Khilifat Ogbara, wielded the gavel, issuing a formal summons during the hearing.
The Committee’s inquiry centres on N1.5 billion that was specifically allocated to settle outstanding dues owed to previous contractors. However, according to Ms Ogbara, several red flags have been raised concerning the Ministry’s actions. Evidence suggests that the Ministry may have authorized entirely new contracts that fall outside the scope of the 2024 budget, while simultaneously failing to meet its financial obligations to previous contractors for whom budgetary provisions had already been made.
In a bid to cast a wider net in their investigation and ensure a comprehensive probe, the Committee has implemented a series of measures:
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- Ministerial Appearance: Minister Ohaneye is mandated to appear before the Committee by Tuesday, July 9th. This appearance will likely involve a detailed explanation and justification for the Ministry’s handling of the N1.5 billion and the authorization of new contracts that appear to circumvent budgetary constraints. The Committee will be keenly interested in her explanation for this apparent discrepancy.
- Contracting Freeze: As a preemptive measure to prevent further financial entanglements and safeguard public funds, the Committee has ordered the Ministry to suspend all contract processes within the 2024 budget. This freeze will remain in effect until the Committee reaches a resolution concerning the N1.5 billion and the seemingly unauthorized new contracts.
- Supplemental Documentation Request: The Committee has broadened the scope of its investigation by requesting supplementary documentation from the Ministry. This includes details surrounding a designated account established specifically for the well-being of the Chibok girls, as well as a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the American University of Nigeria, Yola, pertaining to the seven-year payment plan for the school fees of the Chibok girls. This additional documentation could potentially shed light on broader budgetary practices within the Ministry.
The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Ambassador Gabriel Aduda, attempted to provide clarification regarding the Ministry’s financial situation. He explained that the Ministry’s total budget for 2023 was N13.6 billion, of which only N3.4 billion was released, translating to a meagre utilization rate of 25%. However, this explanation does little to dispel the specific concerns raised regarding the N1.5 billion and the alleged initiation of unauthorized contracts.
The Committee’s investigation and the Minister’s impending appearance are likely to attract considerable attention, particularly among those who champion transparency and accountability in governmental expenditures. The outcome of this investigation could culminate in further actions, such as the implementation of new policies within the Ministry or even potential disciplinary measures. The Committee’s findings could also have a ripple effect, prompting a wider review of budgetary practices across different government departments.
