Minister, Reps in heated argument over alleged N1.5bn diversion

Minister, Reps in heated argument over alleged N1.5bn diversion

The Minister of Women Affairs, Uju Kennedy, engaged in a heated exchange with House of Representatives Committee on Women Affairs members, chaired by Hon. Kalifat Ogbara, during an investigative hearing.

The hearing aimed to investigate the alleged diversion of N1.5 billion owed to contractors by the Ministry, among other expenditures.

The committee also sought explanations on various expenditures, including funds allocated annually to the African First Ladies Mission project and the N45 million spent on the New Year party for children, among others.

However, the proceedings ended in a deadlock as both sides struggled to communicate amidst raised voices and intense arguments.

Chairman Ogbara emphasized that the probe was not a witch-hunt but a necessary step to ensure contractors who fulfilled their obligations received payment.

“We must work together to identify and address any instances of misappropriation, non-execution of contracts, or breaches of the procurement act’” she said.

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But the Minister, who was already agitated over the questioning, said the Ministry does not have money.

“On the issue of the contract even the ones given when I was there, they have not been paid. So there is no partiality, except that we are underfunded. We don’t have money,” she said.

The session got heated as various members grilled her on contractors’ payment, the money allocation for the African First Ladies Mission and other expenditures by the Ministry.

When it seemed obvious there would be no headway in the hearing, Ogbara had to adjourn indefinitely.

“I cannot be here and allow the honourable minister to insult any member of this committee. We are going to adjourn Sine Die and I hope by the time we call the Minister and her team again they will be able to behave themselves,” the Committee Chairman said.

At a session last week, the committee had summoned the Minister over a petition by contractors who claimed to work for the Ministry but were not paid.

Minister, Reps in heated argument over alleged N1.5bn diversion