Activists Demand Probe Of Humanitarian Ministry

The Niger Delta Activists Alliance (NGAA) has called for a thorough investigation in the ministry of humanitarian affairs and poverty alleviation over alleged financial mismanagement.

A statement issued by the organisation’s president general, Mark Edwin, said it was closely monitoring the developments in the ministry.

“With great concern, NGAA has observed a consistent disregard for NSIPA’s financial structure by the minister of humanitarian affairs and poverty alleviation, Dr. Beta Edu.

“NGAA is deeply troubled by the deliberate bypass of NSIPA’s financial regulations, resulting in the unauthorised disbursement of funds amounting to billions of naira from the agency’s Remita account with the Central Bank of Nigeria.

“Additionally, new signatories and role players have been illegally added to the agency’s account without the proper procedures being followed, leaving the agency vulnerable to fraud and unauthorised transfer of funds. More alarmingly, recent payments from the agency’s account have been made to personal accounts instead of the licensed payment service providers’ accounts, directly violating established financial rules and regulations.

“The alarming lack of accountability is further perpetuated by the neglect of the EFCC to invite the minister for questioning, raising serious concerns about the agency’s integrity and commitment to justice.

“NGAA unequivocally demands that President Tinubu takes immediate action to address this blatant breach of the CBN’s regulatory policy which aims to prevent arbitrary interference by ministries in the financial management of government-owned corporations and agencies under their purview.

“The president must demonstrate a strong commitment to ensuring strict compliance with the CBN regulations, allowing these entities to manage their financial affairs autonomously without undue government interference,” the group said.