SERAP To Tinubu: Name Contractors Who ‘Stole’ N167bn From MDAs
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has called on President Bola Tinubu to publicly disclose the names of the contractors and companies that collected over N167 billion in mobilisation fees from 31 ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) without completing the associated projects.
In an open letter to President Tinubu, dated November 30, 2024, and signed by SERAP’s Deputy Director Kolawole Oluwadare, the civil society group asked the President to direct the Minister of Finance, Olawale Edun, and the Accountant-General of the Federation, Oluwatoyin Sakirat Madein, to identify the contractors involved and recover the stolen funds.
SERAP’s demand follows the publication of the 2021 audited report by the Office of the Auditor-General of the Federation, which revealed that over N167 billion had been paid to contractors for projects that were never executed. Among the most significant examples was the Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading Plc. (NBET), which reportedly paid N100 billion for incomplete projects.
The group requested detailed information about the projects involved, including locations, the number of contractors, and the amounts each received. SERAP also called for the publication of the names of shareholders and ownership interests in the companies that collected the funds but failed to deliver.
Additionally, SERAP urged President Tinubu to instruct the Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, and relevant anti-corruption agencies to take immediate legal action against any contractors or companies found guilty of misappropriating the public funds.
The organisation stressed that publicizing the names of the companies involved would serve as a deterrent to future corrupt practices and ensure accountability in the handling of public funds. It also noted that failure to disclose the contractors’ names and take action would allow corruption to persist, depriving Nigerians of access to essential services.
The letter highlighted that various MDAs, including the Nigerian Correctional Service, the National Pension Commission, and the Petroleum Technology Development Fund, among others, had been involved in the misuse of public funds.
SERAP concluded the letter by stating that it would take legal action if the requested measures were not implemented within seven days. The group emphasized the importance of transparency and accountability in tackling corruption and ensuring effective governance.
