The Minister of Women Affairs, Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye, has denied allegations of fund misappropriation, overspending, and failure to pay contractors for completed jobs.
Following a heated interactive session between the minister and the committee on women affairs and social development, chaired by Hon. Kafilat Ogbara, the meeting was adjourned until further notice.
The minister was questioned about funds allocated for the office of the African First Ladies Peace Mission and asked to provide details on contract award letters, expected quantities, evidence of payment, and project completion certificates.
She was also accused of spending ₦45 million on a New Year children’s party, ₦20 million on baby products for the annual welcoming of New Year babies, and N1.5 million on fuel for a trip from Abuja to Anambra.
“The procurement officer told us that all that the contractors said was true. Most of the contractors were not paid for the jobs that they did. The DFA affirmed that he was paying only those he got the approval from his superiors.
“And please, we don’t want to be distracted and we don’t want our time wasted. When we ask questions, just answer directly. For those of us that are APC inclined, we want this country to work and this is a special ministry.
“There are a lot of Nigeria suffering out there and we have a lot of money being budgeted for women affairs even though some of us think that this budget is one of the lowest.
“It’s not the amount of money you have, but how judicious, transparent and efficient you’re able to manage what has been given to you. All of you from the ministry should tell us what is happening in the ministry.
“Based on information that we have, we want you to give us the true answers as it is. What we are after is for every kobo and naira appropriated for the ministry by this committee is judiciously accounted for. We are not joking with our responsibility as oversight,” Ogbara said.
In her response, the minister clarified that the contracts and funds in question were initiated and disbursed prior to her assumption of office as minister. She emphasized that since the beginning of her tenure this year, no funds have been allocated to the ministry, which has posed significant challenges.
Regarding the funds allocated to the office of the African First Ladies Peace Mission, she explained, “The money you were referring to was allocated before my tenure. Upon assuming office, I discussed this matter with the former first lady, who clarified that the budget in question was intended for her predecessor and not for her.”
“The former first lady called me later and said they wanted to use it to buy generator and in the process, she was out of the country for a while. When she returned, she called me and brought the person that would organise the fixing of the generator.
“I introduced the person to the procurement officer for them to work together according to the rules and regulations of procurement and they have been on it. Once a while I talk to the first lady to find out how they’ve been on it and that’s the last I heard of it, and now the procurement officer has retired.
“I am not the first lady and I can’t over step my bounds. The first lady only advises me to focus on my work. All I went to tell her is that there’s some money and I only take directives when given,” she clarifed.
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