Senate Reacts as Petroleum Ministry Set to Print Flyers with N98.4m

Senate Reacts as Petroleum Ministry Set to Print Flyers with N98.4m.

The release of N98.4m to the Petroleum Resources Ministry, for an awareness campaign has been disapproved by the Nigerian senate.

The ministry received queries after a 2015 report by the auditor-general for the federation, revealed the huge sum of money was released for the ministry just for flyer printing, Gistlover understands.

The Senate Public Account Committee, reacting to the report, described as unacceptable the payment of N98.4m for the Petroleum Industrial Bill. According to the lawmakers, the fund was released without due process.

The Chairman of the Senate panel, Senator Matthew Urhoghide, while commenting on the said money disbursed, noted that payment of N39m was into the accounts of two persons for the purpose of monitoring the ministry’s project within the Federal Capital Territory.

The query on the PIB funding read in part:

“Contrary to the procurement process, an entry in the cash book for the sum of N98.4m was made in favor of a company for printing of leaflets for awareness campaign program for the Petroleum Industry Bill.

 “There was no formal award of contract and it was also observed that the approval for the payment was via memo presented by the Director (Press) to the Ministerial Tender Board meeting of 9th and 11th October, 2013.

 “The permanent secretary had been requested to take procedural disciplinary measures against the erring officers in line with provisions of extant regulation.”

On its part, while responding to the critics against the funding, the petroleum ministry explained that massive publicity needed to be created, hence the awareness campaign program.

The written response read thus:

 “Adequate publicity was made: M/S Dangrace and Partners Limited were selected based on proven capabilities and competence.

 “It should be stated that veritable costing proposals were submitted and approved before the authorization for the award and production of Petroleum Industry Bill leaflets.

 “The (Media) Department complied with necessary rule and procedure.”

The senate committee had ordered two officers allegedly involved in the receipt of N39.7m in their personal bank accounts to return the money to the federation account.