By Samuel God’spower
November 18, 2024.
The Blue Economy Ministry also called the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy spent n662 Million in Four Months.
A detailed review of the Nigerian public payment portal ‘Govspend’ has uncovered questionable financial practices by the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, led by the Current minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Isiaka Oyetola.
Between 26 July and 23 October 2024, over N662 million was paid into private accounts for expenses including air tickets, hall rentals, refreshments, and honourariums.
The findings has raised concerns about fiscal mismanagement, particularly as President Bola Tinubu’s administration has pledged to reduce the cost of governance.
Key Findings on Ministry Spending
Among the notable expenditures, Olufemi Michael Oloruntola, the Secretary General of the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, received N7.3 million on 26 July 2024 as a 40% estacode supplementation for a study tour to the Royal Kingdom of Morocco. Oloruntola was paid N76 million between July and October 2024, covering travel allowances, estacodes, and related expenses.
Similarly, Sanya Sholabami Abosede was paid N10.4 million on the same day, also as a 40% estacode supplementation for the Morocco study tour. Over the same period, her account received a total of N76.4 million.
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Further analysis revealed that Abba Goni Yarema received N186.5 million in personal payments described as out-of-pocket expenses, duty tour allowances, hall rentals, and refreshments.
Meanwhile, Hafeez Babatunde Bombata, the ministry’s Director of Marine Safety and Security, was allocated N43 million for estacodes, air tickets to international maritime organisation meetings in London, and study tours conducted in Togo and Ghana.
Additionally, on 13 August 2024, Nwoko Vincent received N8.4 million, reportedly for hall rentals, refreshments, and honourariums.
Estacode Allowance Under Scrutiny
The expenses coincide with a Morocco study tour from 29 July to 3 August 2024, which reportedly involved senior officials. Estacode allowances, granted to public officers for international travel, vary by rank, with ministers reportedly receiving $900 per night and the Chief Justice of Nigeria earning $2,000 per night.
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Potential Violation of Financial Regulations
The ministry’s financial transactions appear to breach Chapter 7, Section 713 of Nigeria’s Financial Regulations, which states that public funds must not be paid into private accounts.
Personal money shall in no circumstances be paid into a government bank account, nor shall any public money be paid into a private account.”
Chapter 7, Section 713 of Nigeria’s Financial Regulations
The revelations have sparked outrage among citizens and financial watchdogs, who question the ministry’s adherence to fiscal policies amidst the federal government’s commitment to transparency and cost-cutting measures.
StarReporters will continue to track developments on this issue.
