The Finance Minister Squashes ₦13 Billion Contract Allegations
Contractor Wale Edun Refutes Allegations of Awarding ₦13 Billion Projects Without Proper Procedures
In a stark denial, the Minister of Finance, Wale Edun, has branded accusations that he and Permanent Secretary Lydia Shehu Jafiya awarded contracts worth ₦13 billion between February and June 2024 without adhering to due process as baseless and mischievous.
The Minister's denial was issued through the Federal Ministry of Finance's Director of Information and Public Relations, Mohammed Manga, on Monday. The allegations claimed that Mr. Edun connived with the Permanent Secretary to circumvent due process, an accusation they both vigorously refute.
The minister asserted that these allegations were fabricated to tarnish his reputation, as well as that of the Permanent Secretary and to distract from ongoing economic initiatives directed by the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led Administration. According to Edun, all contracts, including those related to the Presidential Initiatives on Compressed Natural Gas (Pi CNG), were awarded in accordance with the Public Procurement Act and other relevant laws and regulations.
The Ministry of Finance emphasized its commitment to transparency and accountability in its operations, seeking support from the media to verify information before publicizing it to avoid damaging the Ministry's reputation through false and malicious publications.
Amidst the ongoing dispute, it's worthy to note that Nigeria recently gained full membership in the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), positioning the country as a financially and economically stronger nation [1][2].
related news
- Nigeria: A Rising Economic Force - Cardoso: The specific economic successes of the nation are highlighted in an article, stressing that Nigeria is increasingly recognized as an financial and economic powerhouse under the leadership of Wale Edun and President Tinubu [3].
- FG, States, LGs Share ₦1.578 Trillion Allocation For March: Offering further insights into the government's financial management, the latest allocation breakdown for March was published detailing the funds distributed to the federal, state, and local government tiers [4].
- On-going Forensic Audit of NNPCL: According to the Minister of Finance, Wale Edun, a forensic audit of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) is underway, ensuring financial accountability and combating corruption [5].
- Despite the Finance Minister Wale Edun denying allegations of irregular contract awards worth ₦13 billion, some critics continue to question his claims of adhering to due process.
- The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Wale Edun, has attributed the recent accusations against him to an attempt to distract from the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led Administration's general-news and economic initiatives.
- In a bold move to combat any corruption allegations, the Minister of Finance, Wale Edun, has initiated a forensic audit on the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL).
- Naija's economy has been making waves in the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), with President Tinubu and Finance Minister Wale Edun leading the charge, as Nigeria has recently gained full membership in the bank.
- Business insiders and financial analysts have praised the Tinubu-led Administration for their commitment to transparency and accountability, with Finance Minister Wale Edun at the forefront in implementing these practices.
- In response to allegations that he and Permanent Secretary Lydia Shehu Jafiya awarded contracts without due process, Wale Edun has stressed that all contracts were awarded in compliance with the Public Procurement Act and other relevant laws.
- Prominent figures in Nigeria's political and business scenes, such as Wale Edun, President Tinubu, and the Permanent Secretary, have found themselves embroiled in ongoing controversies over contract procedures and transparency in the country's economy.
