CSO Clears DMO of Allegations Over Staff Refreshments, Welfare Expenditure

The Integrity Advocacy for Development Initiative (IADI) has cleared the Debt Management Office (DMO) of allegations surrounding its reported expenditure on staff refreshments and welfare items, saying the agency’s explanation satisfactorily addressed the concerns raised.

In a statement issued yesterday in Abuja and signed by its Executive Director, Comrade Ofomhi Osizemhete Christopher, the civil society organisation said it reached the decision after engaging directly with the DMO and receiving what it described as a comprehensive clarification on the expenditure.

According to IADI, it was invited by another civil society organisation to participate in a planned protest and press conference over the reported spending but opted to first seek clarification from the DMO before taking any public position.

“Our intervention arose after another civil society organisation invited IADI to participate in a proposed protest and press conference over the reported expenditure,” the statement said.

“In keeping with our commitment to fairness, objectivity and responsible civic engagement, we chose to first seek clarification directly from the Debt Management Office before taking any public position on the matter.”

The organisation said the DMO explained that the expenditure in question was not incurred for the personal benefit of the Director-General or any individual official but was an office-wide expenditure aimed at supporting staff welfare.

According to the statement, the agency also affirmed that its Director-General had no direct or indirect interest in any of the vendors involved in the procurement process.

After reviewing the explanation, IADI said it was satisfied that the clarification substantially addressed the principal public concern that the expenditure represented a personal benefit to officials of the agency.

The organisation noted that procurement procedures, vendor selection, contract administration and approvals are governed by the Public Procurement Act, the Financial Regulations and other applicable government guidelines.

It stated that, in the absence of credible evidence showing any breach of those legal and regulatory frameworks, it would be premature and unfair to draw adverse conclusions against the DMO or its leadership.

IADI also observed that public institutions routinely engage multiple vendors for administrative, operational and staff welfare procurements in line with approved procedures, stressing that the use of multiple vendors or recurring procurements does not, by itself, constitute evidence of wrongdoing.

The group maintained that allegations of impropriety should be supported by verifiable facts rather than speculation or assumptions.

Reaffirming its commitment to transparency, accountability and good governance, the organisation urged public institutions to continue embracing openness and constructive engagement with citizens and civil society groups while insisting that accountability efforts must be guided by fairness, credible evidence and due process.

It also highlighted the strategic role of the Debt Management Office in Nigeria’s economic management, noting that its responsibilities in public debt management, financing strategy, investor confidence and fiscal sustainability make it a critical institution whose activities should be discussed responsibly.

Consequently, IADI announced that it would not participate in any protest or public action against the Debt Management Office over the issues raised.

“We consider the clarification received to be constructive and satisfactory, and we encourage continued engagement between public institutions and civil society in the interest of transparency, national development and public trust,” the statement added.