Former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Mrs Sadiya Umar-Farouq on Monday morning arrived at the headquarters of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to honour the invitation by the anti-graft agency.
Her visit is not unconnected with the need for her to offer clarifications in respect of some issues that the Commission is investigating.
The former minister had earlier indicated her readiness to honour the Commission’s invitation.
“I remain proud to have served my country as a minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria with every sense of responsibility and will defend my actions, stewardship and programmes during my tenure whenever I am called upon to do so,” she was quoted to have said.
The Monday visit to the EFCC office, located in Jabi district of Abuja, was at her behest.
Also, the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr. Betta Edu has denied involvement in the alleged N3 billion National Social Investment Programme Agency’s (NSIPA) fraud, alleged Leaked internal memo seemed to be tightening the noose around her.
The memo indicated that the Minister, approved funds to the tune of N2,515,000 for her advanced team to Lokoja as cost for flight tickets and airport taxi.
The memo which was initiated by the Programme Manager in charge of Grant for Vulnerable Groups, dated 6th November, 2023 titled: “The Disbursement Under the 2023 Grant for Vulnerable Groups Programmes in Kogi State, 2023”, urged the Minister to approve various sums of money for air transportation to Lokoja.
The details of cost implication showed that there are 3,000 beneficiaries to be disbursed with N20,000 each to the tune of N60 million and logistics for disbursement showed a sum of N3 million, totaling N63,000.
The template of disbursement under subheading showed the serial number, number of days to be spent in Kogi by the Minister’s advanced team, name and designation of officers, Grade Level, Duty Tour Allowance (DTA) for five nights in Kogi, local running at 30% of DTA, flight ticket and airport taxi in Lokoja.
It is a well established fact that there is no airport in the entire Kogi State, The last helipad owned by Ajaokuta Iron and Steel Company in Kogi Central Senatorial District has been destroyed for close to 30 years ago and has been overgrown with weeds.
Though, there is an airstrip owned by the Dangote at Its Cement factory in Obajana, it is not opened for commercial flights.
The beneficiaries of the acclaimed disbursement are yet to get alerts, despite approval of the memo by the Minister.
