Spending N1.5m on fuel for six cars to Anambra not big deal — Minister

Nigeria’s Minister of Women Affairs, Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye, has justified spending N1.5m to fuel six vehicles in her convoy while on an official trip to Anambra State.

The Minister stated this on Monday while fielding questions on Channels Television’s Politics Today programme.

The Minister’s appearance on national television came five days after her heated argument with members of the House of Representatives.

The lawmakers had wanted to know how her ministry appropriated unrelated expenditures, including N45 million for a New Year party, N20 million for sanitary pads and N1.5 million for petrol.

But speaking on the matter, Kennedy-Ohanenye expressed surprise that the lawmakers could quiz her for expending N1.5m on fuelling their journey, saying the amount wasn’t a big deal.

“How many vehicles? I travelled with the staff in the bus, two security vehicles, one DSS and one police, my vehicle, the backup, and the other one.

“About six vehicles went all the way to Anambra State for a job and we came back. What is N1.5m for those cars? Everybody knows how much fuel cost since I came in.

“But when I was explaining, they (lawmakers) won’t even give you a chance to explain. They will tell you to just say a ‘yes’ or ‘no.’ How can I say yes or no without an explanation?” She queried.