Unity Colleges Explain ‘Diversion’ Of N2.67bn Food Subsidy Fund Into Private Accounts

The federal government has mandated the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission(ICPC) to fully uncover what happened to “the sum of N2.67 billion released to the 104 Unity Colleges during the COVID-19 lockdown for meal subsidies.”

THE WHISTLER earlier reported that the ICPC had said that “we discovered payments to some federal colleges (secondary schools) for school feeding in the sum of N2.67b during the lockdown when the children were not in school, and some of the money ended up in personal accounts”

“We have commenced investigations into these findings,” ICPC had said.

But, in a statement on Tuesday, signed by the Education Ministry’s spokesperson, Ben Bem Goong, it stressed that the indicted staff of the colleges alleged that the monies were used to settle debts , among other things.

“Following the report of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences
Commission (ICPC) that the sum of N2.67 billion released to the 104 Unity Colleges during the COVID-19 lockdown for meal subsidies found its way into individual accounts, Education Minister, Adamu Adamu, has ordered a full-scale investigation into the matter.

“In response to queries issued by the Federal Ministry of Education, the Principals explained that payments on meal subsidies to Unity Colleges on the Govemment Integrated Financial Management Information System (GIFMIS) platform is designed to accommodate individual officers of those colleges who are officially recognized to receive such payments and disburse same to food vendors.

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

“The Principals also explained that payments made during the lockdown period had to do with debts owed food vendors even before Covid-19, some of which are still pending, adding that these debts arose from irregular and inadequate budgetary allocations and
releases over the years,” the statement partly read.

However, the ministry said it was partnering with the ICPC to reveal the true situation with regards to the fund.

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

“To this end, the Ministry in line with the Minister’s directive is to collaborate effectively with officials of the ICPC to unearth the facts as well as find a lasting solution to the payment system for meal subsidies that will, ensure acçouuntability and transparency,” it stated.