The House of Representatives Committee on Women Affairs and Social Development has summoned Minister Uju Kennedy-Ohaneye to appear before it next week regarding the untraceable N1.5 billion earmarked for contractor payments. Committee Chair Khilifat Ogbara issued the summons during an investigative hearing prompted by contractor complaints of non-payment by the ministry.
Ogbara further instructed the Women Affairs ministry to suspend new contracts in the 2024 budget until the issue of the missing funds is resolved. Additionally, the committee demanded detailed information on the Special Account for the Chibok girls and the Memorandum of Understanding with the American University of Nigeria, Yola, concerning the payment of school fees for the Chibok girls over seven years.
“We are giving until Tuesday for the ministry to produce all documents and provide explanations regarding the disappearance of the N1.5 billion,” stated Ogbara, emphasizing the urgency of the matter.
The committee expressed concerns that the ministry allegedly initiated new contracts outside the 2023 budget without accounting for the N1.5 billion allocated for existing contractors. In response, Permanent Secretary Ambassador Gabriel Aduda defended the ministry, stating, “In 2023, our total budget was N13.6 billion, with N3.4 billion released (25% utilization) and an unreleased balance of N10.2 billion.”
