Reps To Probe Disability Commission Over Alleged Corrupt Practices

The House of Representatives Committee on Disability has resolved to investigate the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD) over alleged irregularities in procurement processes and project implementation.

The committee, chaired by Hon. Bashiru Dawodu, took the decision yesterday at a stakeholders’ engagement at the National Assembly Complex, Abuja.

The panel vowed to probe complaints by stakeholders regarding contract awards, project execution and administrative practices within the commission.

At the hearing, a stakeholder, Abdullahi Ibrahim, alleged that the commission inflated the cost of certain projects and procurement contracts running into millions of naira.

“It is worrisome that the National Disability Commission is becoming the headquarters of corruption in the disability community because of what has been happening there,” he alleged.

Ibrahim cited an example of a project involving the procurement of Point-of-Sale (PoS) machines, claiming the contract was allegedly inflated.

“How can a disability commission pay about N97 million for 101 PoS machines with starter packs when the actual cost is far lower?” he queried.

He also alleged that some training programmes and equipment procurements were awarded at inflated costs.

Responding to the allegations, members of the committee emphasised the need for documentary evidence to support the claims, thereby necessitating an investigation of the matter.

In his presentation, the executive secretary of the commission, Ayuba Gufwan, said his administration had taken steps to address procurement irregularities discovered shortly after he assumed office in August 2024.

Gufwan explained that although his appointment by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu took effect on August 6, 2024, he resumed duty about two weeks later after hospitalisation following an accident.

According to him, upon resuming, he discovered that his predecessor had presided over contract awards during the interim period, a development he described as irregular.

“Upon resumption about two weeks afterwards, I was shocked to discover that my predecessor, who should have handed over on the 6th, took decisive decisions on behalf of the commission as a former executive secretary,” he said.

He told lawmakers that the commission’s Procurement Tenders Board (PTB) subsequently reviewed the process and voided the contracts.

“So, we summoned the meeting of the PTB and the decision was reached that all of the procurement that the former ES presided over was illegal, null and void. Those contracts were revoked and a new process was initiated for the 2024 procurement,” he stated.

He noted that when he assumed office, the commission had no operational zonal offices despite provisions in the enabling law.

“I didn’t inherit one single zonal office. As a person with disability, I know the logistics of transportation and the challenges are overwhelming,” he said.

He disclosed that the commission had since established regional offices in Plateau, Bauchi, Abia, and Oyo states, covering the North-Central, North-East, South-East, and South-West zones, respectively, while plans were underway to open offices in the remaining regions.

The executive secretary also explained that limited funding had constrained the commission’s ability to host delegations of persons with disabilities travelling from different parts of the country.

“In most cases, when people with disabilities come from far and near, they tell me they don’t have accommodation or transport. The commission does not have those funds readily available, and it is for fear of embarrassment that we sometimes decline such visits,” he said.