COVID-19: Minister orders probe into alleged diversion of N2.67bn meal subsidies

Adamu Adamu, minister of education, has ordered a full-scale investigation into the alleged diversion of N2.67 billion released to the 104 Unity Colleges during the Covid-19 lockdown for meal subsidies.

This follows the report of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, (ICPC) that the said sum found its way into individual accounts.

According to a statement signed by Ben Bem Goong, director, Press and Public Relations, federal ministry of education, the minister has directed the ministry to collaborate with officials of the ICPC to unearth the facts as well as find a lasting solution to the payment system for meal subsidies to ensure accountability and transparency.

The investigation is to establish the veracity of the claims to ensure that there is no diversion of public funds or misappropriation of same.

In response to queries issued by the ministry, the principals of the Unity Colleges explained that payments on meal subsidies to the colleges on the Government Integrated Financial Management Information System, (GIFMIS) platform was designed to accommodate individual officers of those colleges who were officially recognided to receive such payments and disburse same to food vendors.

This, they said followed difficulties encountered by farmers, local food vendors and market women who do not have Tax Identification Numbers (TIN), PENCOM and other requirements to access the payment platform.