EFCC Not Investigating NITDA's Budget - Minister

Contrary to media speculations in some quarters, that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is investigating the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) 2017 budget, the management of the agency has said it is not under investigation by any anti graft agency.

NITDA in a statement signed by its head of Corporate Affairs and External Relations, Mrs Hadiza Umar, described as false the information being circulated on some online media and national dailies to the effect that the Agency is attempting to circumvent due process requirements in the implementation of the 2017 approved budget.

The statement further quotes the Minister of Communications, Barrister Adebayo to have lauded the prudent management of the Agency resources under the leadership of its Director-General, Dr Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami.

"It is essential to note that the Agency is not under any investigation under the current administration, either by EFCC or any other investigating agency.

The Agency under the leadership of Dr Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, only received commendation from the EFCC",
the statement further quoted the Honourable Minister of Communications, Barrister Adebayo , during an interview with Fresh FM Ibadan on Sunday, 5th November, 2017.

The statement described the petitioners, Muhammad Yusuf and Rebecca Emeleogwu, purportedly representing Good Governance and Accountability Monitoring Group, as been misguided for alleging that the Management of the Agency has by-passed due process in the award of contracts in the 2017 budget without substantiating the allegations.

It noted that the Agency, since assumption of office of the current Director General/CEO, Dr Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, has championed efforts aimed at fighting corrupt practices within and outside the Agency.

" It is on record that in this effort to ensure transparency and accountability, the current Director-General is the only Chief Executive in history of the Agency that implemented almost 100 percent of the Auditor-General for the Federation’s audit recommendations regarding financial and other irregularities in the Agency.

"As a man of proven integrity who is in the forefront of supporting Mr President’s fight against corruption, the Director General sought the support of anti-corruption Agencies such as the EFCC and ICPC in fighting corruption in IT Procurements in Federal Government’s Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs).

" It may be of interest to note that officials from the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation visited the Agency recently and gave an excellent commendation to the Director General and the Management Team for their efforts at following due process as well as excellent documentation of all financial transactions", the statement noted.

The Agency also explained that the 2017 projects are yet to be advertised and so far no contract has been awarded in the Agency because of the Director-General’s efforts at ensuring that due process is followed in the award of contracts.

NITDA urged members of the public to disregard the allegations it said are unfounded, adding that the above facts show that what was circulated is a frantic effort of corruption fighting back.

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