Adamu Adamu, the Minister of Education, has ordered a detailed investigation into the alleged diversion of funds allocated for school feeding programme into private accounts.
Spokesman of the ministry, Ben Goong disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday.
Anti- graft agency, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) revealed recently that about N2.67 billion released to the 104 Unity Colleges during the COVID-19 lockdown for meal subsidies found were diverted into individual accounts.
According to the statement, “In response to queries issued by the Federal Ministry of Education, the Principals explained that payments on meal subsidies to Unity Colleges on the Government Integrated Financial Management Information System (GIFMIS) platform is designed to accommodate individual officers of those colleges who are officially recognized to receive such payments and disburse same to food vendors,” the Education Ministry statement said.
“This followed difficulties encountered by farmers, local food vendors and market women who do not have Tax Identification Numbers (TIN), PENCOM and other requirements to access the payment platform.”
The release further noted that payments made during the period of lockdown were debts owed food vendors prior to the COVID 19, some of which are still pending.
He noted that these debts arose from irregular and inadequate budgetary allocations and releases over the years.
Goong said the investigation will ascertain the veracity of the claims.
He added: “To this end, the Ministry in line with the Ministers directive is to collaborate effectively with officials of the ICPC to unearth the facts as well as find a lasting solution to the payment system for meal subsidies that will ensure accountability and transparency.”