Report: Perm Sec Blocks Release of Tinubu-Approved Funds to Information Ministry Agencies - Ben Television | Breaking - Nigeria, Africa and World Top News.
Perm Sec allegedly stalls Tinubu-approved funds for information agencies A reported standoff has emerged at the Ministry of Information and National Orientation over the release of funds approved by President Bola Tinubu for agencies under the ministry, with the permanent secretary, Binyerem Ukaire, accused of delaying the disbursement. According to a report by Premium Times,. . . Read More
Perm Sec allegedly stalls Tinubu-approved funds for information agenciesA reported standoff has emerged at the Ministry of Information and National Orientation over the release of funds approved by President Bola Tinubu for agencies under the ministry, with the permanent secretary, Binyerem Ukaire, accused of delaying the disbursement. According to a report byPremium Times, Ukaire allegedly refused to approve payment files for the agencies after their chief executives declined a request to appear before her for detailed presentations on their operations and planned use of the funds. The affected agencies include the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN), Voice of Nigeria (VON), National Orientation Agency (NOA), and the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC). The amount approved by the President was not disclosed, but the report said the funds were approved about three weeks ago to strengthen the operations of the agencies. Sources cited in the report alleged that Ukaire requested that the agency heads present updates on their activities, ongoing projects and proposed utilisation of the funds before the payment files could be processed. However, some agency chiefs reportedly rejected the request, arguing that it was inconsistent with established civil service procedures. One source quoted in the report said the heads of the agencies were accountable to their respective boards and the supervising minister, rather than being required to seek approval from a permanent secretary for operational decisions. The delay, according to the officials, has affected ongoing projects and disrupted the activities of the agencies. Minister reportedly intervenesThe Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, was said to have intervened in the matter, but the report alleged that the permanent secretary maintained her position that the agency heads must appear before her before the funds could be released. The development has raised questions over the relationship between supervising ministries and government-owned agencies. A 1999 circular issued by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation on the relationship between ministries and parastatals states that government agencies established by law should retain operational autonomy and that supervising ministries should not interfere in their day-to-day administration. The circular also reportedly cautioned ministries against interfering in the finances of agencies under their supervision or diverting their funds for unrelated ministry expenses. It remains unclear whether the circular is still in force. Perm Sec respondsResponding to the allegations, Ukaire confirmed that the funds had not yet been released but said the payment process was ongoing. The reported delay comes amid broader concerns among lawmakers over slow budget implementation under the Tinubu administration, with legislators citing inadequate funding and delays in releasing approved allocations as major obstacles to executing government programmes. The affected agencies are expected to continue discussions with the ministry as efforts are made to resolve the dispute and facilitate access to the approved funds.