By Kayode Araba
Thus, House of Representatives committee on Women Affairs and Social Development is probing N1.5billion meant for the payment of contractors but allegedly diverted by principal officers of ministry of women affairs and social development.
Meanwhile, the Director of Finance of ministry, Mr. Aloy Ifeakandu during an interactive session with the committee on Thursday said he only comply with official directives from his superiors, saying the records are available.
However, the session followed petition by contractors of the ministry to the House of Representatives over none payment of contracts executed running into billions of Naira.
Speaking during the interactive session, chairman of the committee, Hon. Kafilat Ogbara alluded to the fact that the ministry initiated new contracts not captured in the 2023 budget and diverted (N1.5bn) being funds for old contractors.
Also, she said that the ministry while owing contractors, awarded fresh contract in 15 states of the federation, similarly not captured in the 2023 appropriation.
That money for the contractors have not been paid meanwhile this money has been released form the office of Account General of the Federation and money has been diverted, so how do you pay these contractors” She asked?
