Buhari's ministers indicted in N2billon bribery scandal


  Buhari's ministers indicted in N2billon bribery scandal



These are challeneging times for the Federal Executive Council led by President Muhammadu Buhari – It seems many of the ministers are not one the same page with the president as regards his anti-corruption stance – Daily, Nigerians are regaled with abuse of office that those bestowed with positions under this government are involved in The minister of agriculture and rural development, Chief Audu Ogbeh and his deputy, Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, have been named in a N2 billion bribery scandal, according to Pointblanknews.com. Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Heneiken Lokpobiri (L) and Audu Ogbeh (R) In an exclusive report by the medium, the two ministers were said to have been involved in a bribery scheme as regards a recent part-payment of N15 billion to contractors owed by the ministry. According to the report, the contractors executed projects under the fertilizer subsidy programme – Growth  Enhancement Support Scheme (GESS), initiated by the administration of  former President Goodluck Jonathan. Share on Facebook Share on Twitter THE GESS programme was initiated by the Goodluck Jonathan The programme was introduced in order to enhance farmers’ access to subsidised fertilizer. READ ALSO: House of Reps sex scandal: US state department interrogates 10 lawmakers The scheme is also aimed at subsidising the costs of major agricultural inputs, such as fertiliser and seedlings for farmers, yam tubers and yam plantation, yam tubers and yam plantation. Based on the GESS policy, the federal and state governments equally contribute the balance of 50 per cent being the approved subsidy amount for onward payment to participating inputs (fertilizer) suppliers. As a standing rule, all participating states gave an Irrevocable Standing Order (ISO) for their portion (25%) of the subsidy amount to be deducted directly from their statutory monthly allocation from the federation account as due. The contractors were said to be owed N56 billion by the federal and states governments participating in the programme, although the ministry is said to be in charge of disbursing funds. The report stated that following the release of N350 billion by government for the payment of contractors  as contained in the 2016 budget, the ministry of agriculture and Rural Development was allocated funds amounting to N15 billion to effect the part-payment to over 50 contractors part of the GESS programme. The two ministers were said to have invited the contractors to a meeting after the release of the money and assured them that they would be paid on “pro-rata” basis. To the amazement of the contractors, the ministry paid only three contractors. Investigations however showed that a decision to deduct N2 billion from source and concentrate the payment on only the three contractors was part of the deal. The three contractors were paid N13 billion leaving N2billion for the ministers to feast on. READ ALSO: We have been extremely wasteful as a country – Kemi Adeosun In reaction, a group named Society for Good Governance (SGG) has petitioned the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Crimes Commission (ICPC) to investigate the actions of the ministers. Share on Facebook Share on Twitter All eyes are on ICPC boss, Mr Ekpo Nta to probe the claims of the SGG The group wrote: “We are, by this petition, asking the ICPC to carry out a comprehensive investigation into the payment to determine why the ministers and thepermanent secretary reneged on the earlier arrangement to pay all the contractors who have been owed for many years now and decided to pay only three contractors. “We urge you to look into the deal between the two ministers, the permanent secretary and the three contractors that resulted in the payment of N13 billion to them. What happened to the remaining N2 billion. Why renege on the payment of the other contractors?”, the group asked. The allegation is coming barely a week after it was established that Nigeria’s Chief of Army Staff, General Tukur Buratai owns two houses in Dubai.

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