Presidency Detects Alleged N11.635bn Padding Of Refund To Delta, Taraba By Federal Parliament

KEHINDE AKINTOLA

In what appears to be another case of padding and violation of procurement procedures by the federal legislature, the presidency has frowned at an inflation of N11.635 billion on the figure approved by President Muhammadu Buhari to reimburse Delta and Taraba on inherited debts from projects handled on behalf of federal government.

Sources familiar with the matter told our correspondents that the Federal Executive Council (FEC) had approved N78.602 billion in line with the directives of the Bureau Of Public Procurements (BPP) which certified the claims by the two states but the federal legislators jerked it up to N90.236 billion.

It would be recalled that the federal government in 2017 issued promissory notes and bonds to settle inherited debts and contractual obligations. These were local debts owed contractors and those from projects that were executed by states on behalf of federal government.

The promissory notes after FEC approvals were thereafter sent to the National Assembly which duly approved them in July for payment  by the executive.

In the case of refunds to both Delta and Taraba, BPP approved N78.602 billion after certifying the projects handled by the two states.

This development which could cause another frosty relationship between the two arms of government, has now prompted President Buhari to seek details of the additional N11.635 billion from the National Assembly.

According to the letter sighted by our Correspondent titled “Promissory Note Programme And Bond Isduance To Settle Inherited Debts and Contractual Obligation”, President Buhari observed that: “While the Federal Executive Council approved a total sum of N78,601,631,430.16 as reimbursement to Delta and Taraba State Governments, the National Assembly approved N90,236,461,031.36, which is higher than the amount approved by Federal Executive Council.

In the letter captured in the Votes and Proceedings of Tuesday March 19th 2019, the president went further that “The National Assembly did not approve any reimbursement to Bauchi and Kogi State Governments, whereas the Federal Executive Council had approved reimbursement for them.

“The House of Representatives may note the provisions of the Public Procurement Act, 2007, which empowers the Bureau of Public Procurement to approve vendors and contracts sums.

“The amounts presented to the National Assembly for approval were duly certified for reimbursement by the Bureau of Public Procurement, before they were approved by the Federal Executive Council.

“Since the Bureau of Public Procurement is charged with the responsibility of approving contract sums, and there is a need for compliance with the Public Procurement Act, 2007, I wish to request that you forward to us details relating to the amounts approved by the National Assembly for Delta and Taraba States in excess of what was certified by the Bureau of Public Procurement for necessary certification and approval.

“Meanwhile, the Federal Government shall proceed with implementation by reimbursing the amounts approved by the Federal Executive Council.

Furthermore, I wish to request that you review the reimbursements earlier submitted in favour of Bauchi and Kogi State Governments,” the President urged.

Similar letter was addressed to the Senate President Bukola Saraki for consideration.