Reps accuse MDAs of ‘diverting’ budget funds

The house of representatives has directed all its standing committees to investigate some ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) over alleged diversion of funds. 

At Thursday’s plenary, the lawmakers expressed worry that funds disbursed to the MDAs have not been utilised for approved purposes.

This was after the green chamber had adopted a motion sponsored by Ndudi Elumelu, minority leader of the house.

Elumelu told his colleagues that the misappropriation of the funds has frustrated the government’s macroeconomic policy.

He said: “Section 80 (4) of the constitution specifically states that no money shall be withdrawn from the consolidation revenue fund or any other public fund of the federation except in the manner prescribed by the national assembly.

“Complying with the constitutional requirements on spending of public funds would ensure effective and efficient management of public resources and put the country’s wealth and resources to work for the common good of all Nigerians.

“Though, between 40 to 60 percent of funds have been released for purposes of implementing the 2021 appropriation act, yet most of the MDAs are yet to dispense these funds for the purposes meant for.

“Some of the MDAs are alleged to have engaged in financial misappropriation by diverting such funds for other unrelated purposes thereby frustrating government macroeconomic framework, while others are in outright denial of not receiving such releases.

“These alleged practices outrightly violates the letters and dictates of sections 80-84 of the 1999 constitution as amended and frustrates the implementation of government policies”.

Contributing to the motion, Femi Gbajabiamila, speaker of the house, said if the allegation is true, “then it is a very serious matter”.

The motion was adopted after Gbajabiamila put it to a voice vote.

The committees have been given two weeks to carry out the investigation and report its finding to the house.