Minister of Works, David Umahi, on Wednesday said he was no longer a minister when alleged financial irregularities in the ministry occurred, resulting in the misappropriation of about N4.64 billion.
An audit involving the Auditor General of the Annual Report of the Federation had allegedly revealed the amount under the then Federal Works Ministry (Housing Section).
The report details a number of issues, including payments made without proper documentation, extra-budgetary expenditure, mobilization fees exceeding sanctioned limits and contracts awarded without following proper procedure.
However, in a statement on Wednesday, Umahi's spokesperson, Mr Uchenna Orji, described the use of the sitting minister's photo and name in the publication as part of petty and selfish propaganda.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the publication, which has been sponsored and disseminated on various social media platforms, is nothing but a deliberate, fraudulent and mischievous misrepresentation of the inviolable report of the Auditor General of the Federation.
“The report stated that the financial management of the then Federal Ministry of Works and Housing between the period of fiscal year 2020 and 2021 was investigated and found the housing sector of the ministry guilty of financial mismanagement and unauthorized expenditure totaling N4.64 billion Had gone.
“While we know the intentions of these critics, we are astonished that they could be so frivolous as to shamelessly and unconscionably put up the picture and name of a serving minister,” the statement said.
The statement stressed that the minister's name was used in the caption of a national newspaper to create the impression among gullible readers that the person mentioned was Umahi.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the investigation was conducted on the financial management of the ministry under the previous administration and not under the Renewed Hope administration,” the minister said.
Umahi said he was not relenting in his determination to restructure the work sector and free it from the ‘whims and whims of the cartels’ who he alleged had over the years hindered the ministry in making Nigeria cost effective. The wheel of progress has been stopped. and sustainable road infrastructure.
“The track record and background of the minister are in the public domain. They cannot be blackmailed by the actions of those who want the old system to continue in the workplace. He is focused and ready to fight against huge barriers to progress in the workplace,” he said.
Emmanuel Adeh
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