Following the report of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) that the sum of N2.67bn released to the 104 Unity Colleges during the COVID-19 lockdown for meal subsidies found its way into individual accounts, Education Minister, Adamu Adamu, has ordered a full-scale investigaticm into the mater,
In response to queries issued by the Federal Minisry of Education, the Principals explained that payments on meal subsidies to unity colleges on the Goverment Integrared Financial Management Information System, (GilFMIS) platform is designed to accommodate individual officers of those colleges who are officially recognized to receive such payments and disburse same to food vendors.
This followed difficulties encountered by farmers, local food vendors and market women who do not have Tax ldentification Nunbers (TIN), PENCOM and other requirements to access the payment plattorm, according to a statement signed by Ben Bem Goong, the ministry’s Director of Press and Public Relations
The Principals also explained that payments made during the lockdown period had to do with debts owed food vendors even belore COVID-19 some of which are still pending, adding that these debts arise from irregular and inadequate budgetary allocations and
releases over the years.
The investigntion is to establish the veracity of the claims to ensure that there is no diversion of public funds or misappropriatian of same.
To this end the Ministry in line with the Minister’s directive is to collaborate ellectively with officials of the ICPC to unearth the facts as well as find a lasting solution to the payment system fo4 meal subsidies that will ensure accountability and transparency.
