Yemisi Izuora
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), on Sunday, December 13, implored President Muhammadu Buhari and Mr Timipre Sylva, Minister of State for Petroleum Resources to“to urgently probe how N116 million was spent by Petroleum Ministry to buy biros, letterhead, and toners in 2015”
SERAP also called the president to make the Ministry “to disclose the amount spent on the same items; between 2016 and 2020, and if there is evidence of misuse of public funds; refer the matter to appropriate anti-corruption agencies for prosecution.”
Last Thursday, the Office of the Auditor-General of the Federation before the Senate Public Accounts Committee; revealed that officials of the Ministry of Petroleum Resources spent N116m to buy biros, letterhead, and toners in one year; allegedly in “contravention of the Public Procurement Act 2017 by the Permanent Secretary.”
Also, in the letter dated 12 December 2020 and signed by SERAP deputy director, Kolawole Oluwadare, the organization said; “The Nigerian Constitution of 1999 [as amended], the UN Convention against Corruption and African Union Convention on Preventing and Combating Corruption require the government to ensure that Nigeria’s resources are used effectively and efficiently, and in a manner consistent with the public interest.”
SERAP said: “An effective and efficient ministry ought to keep careful track of how it spends public money, and put in place a system to eliminate corruption, mismanagement, unnecessary, inefficient, or unreasonable expenditures.”
SERAP added: “Transparency and openness in the spending by your Ministry would ensure the public trust; efficient, effective and competent delivery of public goods and services. Openness in the spending by your Ministry will also strengthen the country’s democracy and promote efficiency and integrity in government.”
The letter copied to Mr Abubakar Malami, SAN, read in part; “Any allegations of misuse of public funds may constitute serious misconduct that impairs the efficiency of your Ministry, and undermines public confidence in the ability of ministries, departments and agencies [MDAs] to provide essential public goods and services to Nigerians.
“SERAP is concerned that the allegations by the Office of the Auditor-General raises serious violations of anti-corruption legislation; the Nigerian Constitution, and international anti-corruption standards.
“We would therefore be grateful if you would indicate the measures being taken to probe the spending of N116m on biros, letterhead and toners in 2015, and disclose the total amount spent on the same items between 2016 and 2020 within 14 days of the receipt and/or publication of this letter.
“If we have not heard from you by then as to the steps being taken in this direction; the Registered Trustees of SERAP shall take all appropriate legal actions to compel your Ministry to implement these recommendations; in the interest of transparency and accountability.”