The Nation Newspaper

Tag: mismanaged

  • Offa Poly to ICPC: recover our N67m ‘mismanaged’ by trustees

    •’They’ve started deducting from our salaries’

    Seven hundred and seventy-one members of the Federal Polytechnic, Offa, Kwara State, Staff Cooperative Thrift and Credit Society (CTCS), have urged the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to recover the N67 million allegedly mismanaged by past trustees of the society.

    The members accused former president, treasurer and secretary (trustees) of giving out N90 million loans indiscriminately.

    The former trustees are Folorunsho, Adekunle Samson and Salami Nurudeen.

    Addressing members at its annual general meeting, the President, Dr. Ademola Ebeloku, said the lack of fiscal probity by past executives necessitated the invitation of ICPC officials to the institution in May.

    He added: “Efforts of the present executives have proved futile because the invitation of ICPC to this institution in May has yielded no result. We are using this medium to inform ICPC chairman that the society is eager to get report on this matter.”

    The Chairman, Implementation Committee on the Recovery of Mismanaged Funds, Dr. Emiola Olawale, said: “During investigation, we discovered money was missing.’’

    ‘’There was misappropriation of over N90 million. During investigation, it was discovered they gave people excess loans.

    “We don’t know how to categorise that. But it was discovered the trustees; the president, the secretary and the treasurer gave themselves loans, which they cannot account for. No form was filled. At the end of investigation, the amount of money was put against them and they were asked to refund. They agreed to repay the money, but we could not get the money from their salary.

    “That was what prompted us to go to EFCC and it directed us to ICPC. ICPC eventually came here and they looked at our books. They said we were lenient in the way we investigated it. That there was some money. That if they were to investigate, it would have been more than that amount of money. So at the end of the day, they did investigation, we expected a report from them. Till now, we have not heard anything.”

    Reacting to the allegation on behalf of others, a man, simply identified as Wasiu said ICPC officials came and checked his exco’s records.

    “The commission invited us and spent about three days with us, investigating. They went through our books. They said it was due to our negligence. That we should repay the money. We agreed and gave them an undertaking that we would pay N100,000 monthly and that when I finish repaying my First Bank loan, I will pay N200,000 monthly. They said I should bring a surety, which I did and they collected his international passport. I did not defraud the cooperative. I have been repaying them the money I did not spend,” he added.

    Wasiu attributed their ordeal to a member of the society and a worker of the institution, who played a fast one on exco members.

    Said he: “We were buying cars for members and other businesses. In the course of the business, there was a man, who is also a worker. He came to my office and said he knew about the business and that he wanted us to do it. That he had a brother in London who sent cars to him. That he would bring the cars to the school premises and that people bought cars from him. He asked workers to write out specifications of the cars they wanted to buy, supported with evidence of ability to pay. That was the pay slip. We set up a committee, which screened members. We then asked him to supply the cars to some of the successful members.”

    Wasiu added: “When we got the cars, some of them did not match the specifications. Some, instead of automatic gears, had manual gears. So some of our members rejected them. That money was over N10 million at that time.

    He said he would bring other cars for us. We believed him since he was a worker, not knowing he was lying. While we were pursuing that, a supplier came from Osogbo and said the cars supplied to us, the man collected them from him and that he owed them about N10 million. That we should pay. They said if we did not pay, they would arrest us and collect the cars from our members.

    “We did not want him to tarnish our image.

    “We contacted our worker, who supplied the cars. He said the allegation was true. We said we had to pay the people, but he ran away. When the problem started, the congress of our cooperative got to know of it. The congress appointed members to find out what happened during the period of my stewardship. They said the worker, who supplied the cars, had gone with the cooperative money. That it was due to our negligence. That the trustee would be responsible for the money. I said if this is the price of leadership, we will pay. So they transferred the liabilities to us.

    “When they asked us how we were going to pay, I said I had a building and that I was already having First Bank loan, which was collected by many workers. That I will finish repayment this month. I told them that as soon as I finish repayment, I will increase my repayment from N100,000 to  N200,000. I gave the President the letter since two weeks ago to increase my loan repayment to N200,000 and increase my savings from N5,000 to N10,000 monthly. I gave them the documents of my houses so that they can sell the house, but they said they will not sell the property of a member. I told them that if I sell it, I will bring the money.”

     

  • ‘Abia poly’s N2b not mismanaged’

    The immediate past chairman of the governing council of Abia State Polytechnic Aba, Prince Christopher Enweremadu has said that the current chairman of the council did not get his facts right about the contentious N2 billion bank overdraft. Enweremadu, a former speaker of the state House of Assembly, said the new chairman’s allegation that the fund was mismanaged was not backed by facts and figures.

    Enweremadu said, “If the chairman had gone through the history of the polytechnic, he would have appreciated that when we came on board, the institution owed N1.1 billion to several banks and also seven months’ salary arrears to staff. After a careful review, my council agreed that the sum of N2 billion be taken as overdraft with an interest of N25 million and by this time no bank was willing to lend any money to the institution, which made us to go for a term loan’ with a lesser interest rate”.

    “When the N2 billion term loan came we had reduced the bank loan to N900 million and part of the agreement with First Bank was to buy over the loan which they did and tellers were issued to Abia Poly and by the time they took their bank charges, we had N1 billion left”.

    “Out of this amount, we had a running battle with the then rector on what to do with the remaining N1 billion, the then council insisted that the amount should be used to repay the loan through building hostels that would yield money, the management insisted on using it to pay salary arrears.”

    “The staff salary by them was N134 million monthly and from the N1 billion that was left, about six months’ salary was paid off, so the chairman saying that contracts were wrongfully awarded smirks of mischief”.

    “Only about N35 million was paid to a contractor, as most of the said contracts were awarded without any money to back them up, so the current chairman talking about mismanagement of funds when we left N210 million which he has not accounted for till date”.

    “It should be noted that since the N2 billion was gotten without the account being serviced, interest was being taken from the principal sum, so this is a case of kettle calling pot black, but this man took the sum of N26 million of the school fund to refurnish an office that

    has no problem”.

    “Here is a man who increased his sitting allowance from N64,000-N260,000 and goes there three times in a week to enable him claim the money from an institution with lean resources, if this not fraud and mismanagement, I wonder what it is”.

    “I want to advise him to address issues before the institution and stop chasing shadows”.

    “I want to appeal to Abia state government to take a critical look at the accounts books of the Polytechnic to know exactly what happened to the said N2 billion, as no bank gives loans to institutions to pay staff salary”.

    “By the time I left as the chairman of the governing council of the Abia Poly, we were able to reduce the backlog of salary arrears down to four months, but now the salary arrears have gone up to seven months which is the reason the staff are on strike.”

  • TUC to ICPC, EFCC: expose states that mismanaged bailout funds 

    TUC to ICPC, EFCC: expose states that mismanaged bailout funds 

    The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) has called on the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to intensify their investigations into how states utilised the bailout funds. Twenty-three states got the fund last year to offset workers’salaries, allowances and retirees’ pension.

    In a statement by its President, Comrade Bobboi Kaigama, TUC lamented what he called the uncontrolled greed and quest for materialism by some governors and politicians.

    The attitude, it said, was worrisome, especially at a time of economic crunch and owing of workers’ salaries.

    ”The Congress is unimpressed by the porous explanations in the national dailies by some governors and their commissioners for information on how the monies were spent. As a labour centre we get first-hand information from our members in all the states of the federation.

    “We, therefore, know that some state governments are being economical with the truth when they make statements purporting that they have settled all their indebtedness to their workers. Even where a particular state government pays some of the outstanding entitlements, does that automatically translate to a liquidation of the entire debt?” Kaigama asked, noting that officers of the ICPC and EFCC should beware of the mischievous posturing in bank transfer documents presented by the states.

    The TUC president said it was inexcusable for any governor to neglect the payment of workers and divert the funds. He said weighing such actions against the backdrop of the recent happenings in the Senate raised serious concern about some politicians’ integrity.

    Endorsing the actions of the ICPC and EFCC, the Congress said the commissions should not give room to intimidations by any individual or group, who might want to upturn the course of  justice.

    ”We know that corrupt politicians will want to employ all antics to oppose the work of both commissions; all stolen wealth must be recovered. And any state that fails to make prompt payment of salaries and pensions will definitely face the wrath of Nigerian workers,” Kaigama said.

    He said as a labour centre, the fight against corruption and its effects on the growth and development of the nation is of very special interest to labour and all Nigerians.

    He added that the success of the crusade is the insurance that most Nigerians have to decent living, and the guarantee that the nation will stand strong and take its place among the leading nations of the world. Kaigama said the upsurge of corruption in Nigeria in recent times is particularly disturbing.

    “Indeed, statistics reveal that Nigeria is 163rd out of 172 countries in Transparency International’s Corruption Perception Index, with its yearly corruption level in recent years averaging $5 billion.  It has done unquantifiable damage to the national life.

    “For instance, the menace of corruption leads to slow movement of files in offices, fuels police extortion, accentuates traffic jams, port congestion, queues at passport offices and petrol stations, ghost-workers syndrome, election irregularities, inflation of budgets and contract fees,” he said.

    Kaigama noted that corruption pervades most establishments in Nigeria, private or public. He said apart from the political class, the justice system is another culprit.  “As a result of corruption, justice is perverted and judgment is often delivered in favour of the guilty that are able to pay their way through,” he said.

  • ‘Mimiko has mismanaged Ondo’

    ‘Mimiko has mismanaged Ondo’

    Odunayo Akinrinsola, a businessman from Ile-Oluji, Ondo State, is a governorship aspirant on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC). The 42-year-old politician spoke with EMMANUEL OLADESU and ENITAN SERIKI on his ambition, the proposed shadow poll and preparations for the governorship election. 

    What is the assurance that the All Progressives Congress (APC) will defeat the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) during the governorship election in Ondo State?

    I would have said that the power of incumbency would have a multiplier effect on the state, if Mimiko’s PDP government had met the needs of the people. But when you talk of a state that is lacking in everything and the multiplier effect of incumbency is minus 100. In fact, for our state, I would say incumbency  has  a negative multiplier effect for the PDP. What we are experiencing in Ondo State is nothing to write home about, the standard of living of the people has dropped drastically, there is no security, there are no infrastructures and nothing is working. I don’t see the power of the incumbent coming into play because the electorates would be the ones to decide that and our people are not fools. They can see that nothing is working and they are seriously yearning for change, and change they will get come November, 2016 in  Ondo State just like we are witnessing in Nigeria now with the APC government at the centre and have been experiencing in all the APC controlled states.

    Ondo State people are clamouring  for a change. Change in the educational, agricultural, infrastructural and  Industrial sectors of  our state. And  that the APC will provide for our people this year, when we take over government from the PDP through  the power of the people not the fake power of the PDP. The wind of change is blowing  and Ondo is the  next stop.

    Can you tell us what your experience has been since you have been consulting with your people and the party leaders?

    I have a conviction, having gone far and wide, consulting with the leadership, followership and major stakeholders in our party, state and community about our intension, mission and vision for our state, from the feedback and reception we have received thus far, I am fully persuaded our ambition is line with the clamour of our people and the yearnings of our state. The feedback is encouraging.

    The take away from our consultation thus far are; (1) Public administration and governance requires a different approach; (2) the need to bring in business principles and values into public administration, aptly described as Corporate governance and (3) that business administration expertise and experience is a sine qua for state’s administration in the face of dwindling fortunes and decline in Federal allocation.

    These take away I   believe, are my added advantage over other candidate. Managing government business is different from managing private business. In a private business, there is no allocation from anywhere, you have to source for fund, and work to pay staff salaries and get business going. You have to continuously innovate, and strategise  to stay afloat and remain in business.

    Managing government business is different because you have regular federal allocation , no matter how meagre. So, having been able to manage my business well, it would be an added advantage for me to manage the business of the state in a way that it would be beneficial to the state and our people.

    Let us look at the defection of some PDP members to the APC in Ondo State, how do you see this development?

    It is an indication of the popularity and acceptability of our party ,APC in Ondo State. Our people are seeing in the Light, and are moving away from the darkness associated with   PDP’s reckless and insensitive governance in Ondo State,  and coming to the light, progress and CHANGE associated with our great party APC. They are all welcome and hopefully, they will contribute to the growth and success of our Party and state. And as long as they don’t have any skeleton in their bag they have nothing to fear.

    You recently met with the former Interim Chairman of the APC Chief Bisi Akande. What was the reception like?

    The reception was wonderful, Chief  Bisi Akande is an elder  statesman, father and  consummate administrator .Baba Akande  is a man of immense  political stature  in Nigeria. His contribution and sacrifice for  the development  and growth of  APC as a party is indelible. You know he was the chairman of the then Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) and pioneer National Chairman of APC. He said that there would be no imposition  and favouritism of candidates in the party and that a level playing ground, which gives every candidate the  opportunity and platform   to canvass for votes ,share their ideology  and test  their  popularity  in the quest for the party’s ticket, which I will clinch by the Special Grace of God. He made it clear that there is nothing like imposition or favouritism.

    At the last count, 18 gladiators are jostling for the APC ticket. What is the assurance that the delegates would vote for you at the primaries?

    What  characterised  Ondo State politics in the past was moneybag syndrome  pauperised democracy .But now our  people have realised that they need to examine the candidates that would deliver. So, we have been  embarking on wide  consultation and high level visitations and meetings with all stakeholders across  various sector and strata of our state. We consulted within and outside our state.

    We have articulated our plans, mission and vision for the state. We have received feedback  from far and beyond, and have analysed setbacks we have encountered in the course of our quest. I can assure you, we are on the right track, we are making progress and headway and with the support of our people and their prayers, slowly but surely we will win the race. Victory is ours

    As a successful enterprenuer, my hope and strength  is in God,I  trust  in God, believe in my ability and capacity, and rely on peoples’ support and with all of these in place, we will not only succeed at the primaries, we will succeed at the general polls. We will surely succeed. I am  not intimidated by sheer number of the aspirants, the more the merrier and the better for our party. As a progressive party, our party does not hinder any one from expressing their interest and aspiration.

    Although, we have 18 gladiators for one seat, I believe I would emerge as the candidate of the APC at the primaries eventually. I am the youngest aspirant for the governorship race for Ondo State under the APC, and If you look at David in the Bible, he was the youngest child in the house of Jesse, and nobody reckoned with him, but he became the king, the same applies to  Odunayo Akinrinsola. I strongly believe I would emerge the winner at the primaries.

    Are you saying that you would emerge as the APC candidate as a technocrat?

    Yes, by the grace of God . I am a politician and a technocrat, I have been in politics since the days of SDP, UNCP, AD, AC, ACN and now APC, I have always been with the progressives. I was passive in terms of seeking elective post until now, but  I have been actively   involved at the grassroots’ level  contributing my quota . I am in-between being a politician and a technocrat. However, if you look at it, His Excellency, Babatunde Raji Fashola governed Lagos State, for Eight years, and now Governor Akinwunmi Ambode is administering Lagos State.

    If you look at their antecedents, you would see that they are not politicians to the core. If you look at the legacy and blueprints of Fashola’s administration in Lagos State, they are still there and the state is seen as the economic hub of Nigeria. Don’t forget that being a technocrat is a plus for me because I know people that can make things work in the state, people of like minds that can rub minds together and bring about the needed change in our state,  through the  creation of enabling  environment  for the  socio-economic transformation of Ondo State. We  will explore all mineral resources in Ondo state apart from oil, thereby diversification of  the economy have bitumen, rubber and a multi-national company is tapping into it. So, being a technocrat is an added advantage for me.

    What is your view on power shift?

    On sectional interests, politically, the state is divided into three senatorial districts; people of the South, North and Central are agitating for power. Don’t forget the fact that the party does not believe in zoning. It is not in our agenda, we only want a credible candidate. Now, every district has the right to agitate and everyone has the opportunity to aspire but what matters most to the party now is to present a well acceptable, marketable and credible candidate that can stand out and win the state for us in the general election. What is paramount is the party, the party supersedes any agitation. And I am sure the process will be democratic, transparent and open with level playing ground for all spirants. Once this is in place every aspirants will be satisfied with whatever outcome of the primaries.

  • PDP: Edo councils mismanaged N130b

    •It’s a lie, says govt

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has asked the Edo State Independent Electoral Commission (EDSIEC) to disqualify candidates of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) ahead of Saturday’s local government elections.

    It said ACN candidates did not emerge through party primaries as prescribed by the law.

    Its Chairman, Dan Orbih, who spoke at a rally in Okada, Ovia North East Local Government, threatened to institute legal action against EDSIEC, if it fails to disqualify ACN candidates.

    Orbih also alleged that the government mismanaged over N130billion meant for local governments.

    He said the ACN-led administration could not be trusted with money meant for local governments.

    “We have it on record that local governments have received over N130 billion since the inception of this administration with nothing to show for it in terms of infrastructure.

    “They did nothing with the money, but only paid workers’ salaries and gave the rest to the state government.

    ACN’s spokesman Dan Owegie urged the PDP to go to court.

    He said the party’s primaries were supervised by EDSIEC officials.

    Commissioner of Information and Orientation Louis Odion described the N130billion allegation as “another idiotic concoction from Orbih’s factory of lies”.

    He said: “Edo people know the party that looted their resources for 10years.

    “Under Adams Oshiomhole, ACN has transformed Edo State.

    “Let Orbih tell Edo people what PDP achieved in 10 years other than enriching the godfather.

    “He thinks cheap lies would win votes rather than canvassing issues. The PDP will receive another sound beating on Saturday.”