National Assembly’s refusal to probe alleged N75.6bn TETFUND contract scam worrisome — Group

The Coalition of Civil Society Groups on National Interest has decried the alleged refusal by the National Assembly to probe an award of N75.6 billion, which they claim breaches the Public Procurement Act.

The convener of the group, Comrade Danesi Momoh, stated in a release that it is concerning that relevant committees of the National Assembly did not exercise oversight duties on the transaction.

The group said, “The award of the contract to Fides Et Ratio Academy and Pole Global Marketing (PGM) was carried out without recourse to the Bureau of Public Procurement or approval from the Federal Executive Council,” the group alleged.

“It appears that due to politicisation and the influence of politicians, the interests of the National Legislature were prioritised. Consequently, no serious oversight can be expected. It is even more surprising that our esteemed National Assembly failed to identify any violations in several instances of breaching the Public Procurement Act 2007.”

The group argued that allowing TETFund to be reduced to an institution embroiled in contract racketeering and promoting mediocrity due to political interests would be a disservice to future generations.

Claiming alleged falsehoods, contradictions, and attempts to cover up institutional failures in the referenced N7.6 billion contract, the group threatened confrontational action against TETFund, including protests, until decisive action is taken to safeguard tertiary education funding in Nigeria.

It added: “In spite of the efforts to kill the matter, it remains alive because that flagrant rape of the Public Procurement Act 2007 at such magnitude is something the media and the Civil Society cannot simply allow to go without sufficient explanation.

“The Executive Secretary of TETFund, Arc. Echono claims that the illegal deduction of 50% of 2023 direct disbursement budget to institutions was on agreement with those institutions. Since non of those institutions have come out publicly to complain, we accept that.

“What is however inexplicable is how a whooping N7.6 billion can be awarded without transparent bidding (or in this case, no bidding at all), no recourse to the Bureau of Public Procurement and no approval sought or received from the Federal Executive Council.”