House of Reps probes Petroleum Minister for allegedly squandering N10 billion on private jet
By Adetokunbo Fakeye
The House of Representatives today ordered its Public Accounts Committee to investigate allegation of squandering of government funds by petroleum minister, Diezani Alison-Madueke, on a private jet.
The committee is to examine whether Mrs. Alison-Madueke, actually spent N10 billion state funds in the last two years to charter, operate and maintain a jet for her personal use.
Hon. Samuel Adejare, APC from Lagos State who tabled the motion for approval, said allegation against the minister was based on “reliable evidence” indicating that Mrs. Alison-Madueke has committed about 500,000 Euros (N130 million naira) monthly to maintain the aircraft, solely for her personal needs and those of her immediate family.
The Honourable said, preliminary investigations have proved that money used to maintain the Challenger 850 aircraft was drawn from government funds.
Hon Adejare submitted that, the expenditure would only be “a tip of the iceberg” as several other billions of naira may have been spent on flying the jet all over the world “obviously for the leisure” of the minister and her immediate family.
“This colossal waste is currently estimated at N10 billion which include the payment of allowances to the crew for the trips, hanger parking and rent based on the lease agreement,” he said, adding, “If government could be bankrolling this waste in the face of ever dwindling public resources,…it amounts to a misplacement of priority, impudence and breach of public trust, an action that offends the Fiscal Responsibility Act and all other Laws on fiscal discipline in Nigeria.”
The motion to investigate the allegation was approved with an overwhelming voice vote. Dissenting voice of Hon. Friday Itulah, from Edo State, was disallowed by the speaker, who explained that the House does not permit debates on such motions until after an investigation has been carried out.
The committee is to investigate the allegation and present its findings to the house within two weeks.
