Tinubu approved N3bn for national social register verification

In light of the ongoing investigation into the alleged
misappropriation of N585m by the suspended Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and
Disaster Management, Dr Betta Edu, the Presidency on Monday called for
restraint and patience from Nigerians, warning against a media trial.

The Special Adviser to the President on Information and
Strategy, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, who said this while responding to fresh revelations
on the matter, disclosed that President Bola Tinubu had approved the release of
N3bn to verify the National Social Register under the former administration of
Muhammadu Buhari.

The social register was created for cash transfers and other
social investment programmes under Buhari.

A memo dated December 18, 2023, from the Office of Chief of
the Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, titled ‘Conveyance of approval;
Re: appeal to use N3,000,000,000.00 (three billion naira) from the Covid-19
palliative fund for verification of the national social register,’ read:

“The above subject refers. Please be informed that Mr
President has approved the expenditure of N3,000,000,000.00 (three billion
naira) only, from the Covid-19 Palliative Fund for verification of the National
Social Register. Please accept the assurance of my highest regards.

But speaking to The PUNCH on Monday night, Onanuga said “The
President has directed the EFCC to investigate the Ministry of Humanitarian
Affairs and all these matters are under investigation already.

“I am sure that the
EFCC had seen that memo from the Office of the Chief of Staff and they are
doing something about these findings.

“Let us allow them to do their work. Let us not to be doing
double investigation on the same issue or a media trial on an issue that is
under investigation. Nigerians should exercise patience.

“When the EFCC is done with their findings, they will tender
their report to the President who will then act on the result of the
investigation.”

An online platform had reported that a company owned by the
Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, was paid a total of N438.1m by the
Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation under Betta Edu for
consultancy services from the contract.

New Planet Project Limited was reportedly one of the
consultants awarded contracts from the N3bn doled out by the suspended minister
for the national social register contract.

According to reports, other beneficiaries include Fabunmi
Olanipekun & Co, which got N419.5m, Vintsolve Global Consult was also paid
N558.8m, Periscope Consulting got N277m, Blue Trend Enterprise was reportedly
paid N277.8m, Laitop Dynamics Interlink Services got N277m, Memak Nigeria
Limited was paid N277m, MC Van Management Consult Limited got N275.8m,
Danzinger Nigeria Limited got N275.8m ,
while Blue Trend Enterprises received N277.8m.

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