Saharareporters has scooped how public money is still being wasted under the APC government despite the promise of changing the way we do business.
It is a source of bewilderment to sane Nigerians how government officials keep wasting billions of tax payers money in a wild goose chase abroad saying that they are hunting for investor when they are well aware that the climate and infrastructure on the ground in our country do not encourage foreign investors.
It has been revealed that Minister of Information, Lai Mohammed pressed out N13, 120,470 from National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) under the guise of loan to fund a “Tourism” trip to China, notwithstanding the fact that there is nothing urgent in the trip.
Saharareporters obtained a letter written on behalf of the Minister of Information and Culture Lai Mohammed to the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) requesting a loan of N13, 120,470.
The letter, written by the Director of Public Relations and Protocol, NPD Dama: “I am directed to inform you [NBC] that the Honourable Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed is proceeding on official assignment to China on Sunday, 15th May 2016.
The letter continues, “the Honourable Minister has therefore approved that you loan the Ministry the total sum of (N13,120,470) thirteen million, one hundred and twenty thousand four hundred and seventy Naira only to enable him and his team embark on the China trip to carry out the assignment.”
The Minister confirmed the loan to SaharaReporters and said that “it’s not unusual when the ministry wants to do something but you don’t have enough funds you ask one of your parastatals under you to provide the funds for the trip.”
“While we are waiting for the appropriate head to have the money you can go to any of your parastatals and ask, give us the money and when we are funded we will return the money to you,” he added.
Mohammed also told Saharareporters correspondent that he could not access his Ministry’s money because the budget has only just been passed. He however fumed over the leakage of the memo to the press. “I am so disappointed that an internal memo like that would be with SaharaReporters, it shows a lack of integrity in the ministry.”
When questioned why he requested a loan from the NBC, and not from a tourism parastatal since the trip is for tourism investment, he responded: “the way the ministry is run is not the subject of public discussion.”
Later, however, Mohammed confessed that there was not enough money in the department of tourism to cover the expenses of his trip to China.
SaharaReporters then asked whether such letters requesting “loans” were also sent to other government agencies and parastatals under his watch. Mohammed replied, “I do not owe you an obligation or duty to tell you that.” And when pushed to reveal the cost of the planned trip, he again stated: “that I do not owe you any obligation to tell you that.”
SaharaReporters then asked: “don’t you owe the public explanation for how you spend their money?” “I do not,” the minister replied.
Below is the entire letter:
cpcnews.org 