MEMBERS of the House of Representatives have summoned the Minister of Women Affairs, Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye, over N1.5 billion allegedly owed contractors.
The minister was summoned by the House Committee on Women Affairs and Social Development during an investigative hearing on Thursday, July 4,l.
Chairperson of the committee, Kafilat Ogbara, gave the order, as the lawmakers are investigate an alleged diversion of N1.5 billion meant to be paid by the ministry to some contractors.
The contractors had filed a petition over non-payment for work, which they were contracted to carry out on behalf of the ministry.
Ogbara reportedly said that new contracts were initiated by the ministry, which were not captured in the 2023 budget, while the N1.5 billion intended for payment of contractors was diverted.
According to her, the new contracts under the minister include the purchase of seven tricycles in a military barracks in Abuja and other fresh contracts initiated in 15 states not captured in the 2023 budget, while old contractors were still being owed.
The committee also ordered that all 2024 contract processes by the ministry be put on hold until the probe is concluded.
“Money for contractors has not been paid and money has been diverted. So how do you pay these contractors?” Ogbara asked.
Director of Finance and Administration in the ministry, Aloy Ifeakandu, could not account for the sum during the hearing, saying he only complied with directives from superiors.
“I resumed at the ministry in September 2023. I wouldn’t know what happened before I came. The individual contractors have their files. It can be traced, as at the time I took over, there was no balance in the vote,” he said.
The Minister was, therefore, summoned to appear on Tuesday, July 9, before the legislators over the issue.
Ijeoma Opara is a journalist with The ICIR. Reach her via [email protected] or @ije_le on Twitter.