Below is a press statement from the Director of Public relations and protocols for the Ministry of Information and Culture, Dama N. explaining the N13 million loan the ministry wanted to get from the NBC.

My attention has been drawn to a letter I endorsed to the Ag. Director General, National Broadcasting Commission requesting for a loan of N13,120,470.00 to cover tickets and travel expenses of a five-member delegation being led by the Honourable Minister of Information and Culture to Beijing, China, which was mischievously leaked to the social media by staff of National Broadcasting Commission.

2.The loan being requested for is for the Ministry to meet up its obligations to enable the Minister and members of his delegation attend an all important Conference on Tourism for Development in China, thatis meant to benefit this country.

3.The loan is not meant for the HonourableMinister alone as personal expenses, but for the expenses of all members of the delegation.

4.The Conference, which is being organized by the United Nations World Tourism Organisation in conjunction with the Government of the People’s Republic of China, under the overall theme “Tourism for Peace and Development,” will feature amongst others discussions on major issues for sustainable development including the contribution of Tourism to poverty reduction and peace.

5.The Conference will also feature discussion on major issues that have direct bearing on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), poverty alleviation through Tourism and the linkage between Tourism peace at the National and International levels.

6.China on this occasion as chair of G20 will also host the 7th T20 Ministers meeting under the theme “Sustainable Tourism, An Effective Tool for Inclusive Development.”

7.The Conference is a veritable platform to develop synergy and partnership with players in the global Tourism Industry which will go a long way in boosting our drive to diversify the Nigerian economy.

8.It is also important to note that the Minister and his delegation were to have discussion in China with Set Top Box Manufacturers, who are meant to establish manufacturing factories in Nigeria for these boxes for our digital broadcasting processes, rather than the current situation in which the boxes are being imported. This is meant to conserve our foreign exchange and to also create avenue for job creation for our citizens.

9.From the foregoing, it is clear that the Conference is an all important gathering that will benefit Nigeria, contribute towards diversification of its revenue base and create employment opportunitiesfor Nigerians.

10.Again, it is not unusual for an agency under the Ministry to assist in order to carry out government functions. Moreover, the request was discussed with the Ag. Director General NBC, who agreed to assist with the loan before the letter was written. It is therefore shocking to find out that an internal memorandum from the Ministry could be leaked out to the social media by saboteurs in order to embarrass the government.

11.Please note, multiple letters were not written to government agencies as alleged, we only wrote to NBC after discussing with the Ag. DG. Payments were to be effected if the fund were loaned out based on extant financial regulations. There is nothing wrong with the request of the Ministry to meet up with an important assignment meant to benefit the country.

12. Finally, the loan that was requested for is NOTmeant for Lai Mohammed as being imputed but for the entire five members of the delegation to cover for tickets, travel allowances and other incidentals.

Dama, N.P.D.
Director, Public Relations and Protocol
Federal Ministry of Information and Culture
http://dumebiifeanyi.com/lai-mohammed-leaked-letter-nbc-dg-releases-stsement-explaining-loan/

Story for the gods

Okay

Should have asked bubu how he '' funds his junketerings''. IMAO...

This practice was normal until May 29, 2015, Federal Ministries rely on their parastatals on expenses like these.

My problem with this loan is this, If the TSA is truly working, where will they get 13mil to finance a trip. It's their money alright but they will not have access to it except tru the Finance minister with approval from the presidency.

I thought he owed Nigerians no apologies, the cane that was used on the older wife is ontop of the roof incase the new one Fk.. govt of lies and propaganda

This is very common in govt..that's how stella Odua bought cars worth millions Using NCAA..

Lai again!

I can't believe anything from apc

Medicine After Death = Story for the gods

Why explaining to us when your boss says he has no reason to explain?

How would NBC has funds without approval of Finance Minister (TSA) or is it a personal loan?

Why are you angry for the leaked , Shebe na una start leaking of letters?

Lai, his kids and delegation should have dressed and wore masquerade so Nigerians can dash you guys that 13,000,000 (that's 130,000 Nigerians spray N100 each). This would have been better for the change mantra as you have diversified means to raise funds.....

AND SOME YOUTH WHO HAVE NO JOB, NO LIGHT IN THEIR HOUSES FOR THE PAST ONE WEEK, NO MONEY, NO JOB AND NOT EVEN SURE OF THREE SQUARE MEAL WILL STILL TAKE IT ON THEMSELVES TO DEFEND ALL THESE POLITICIANS. #WISEUP

I thought the TSA would make such money no longer available to agencies under our different ministries.

Nkemtreasure:
My problem with this loan is this, If the TSA is truly working, where will they get 13mil to finance a trip. It's their money alright but they will not have access to it except tru the Finance minister with approval from the presidency.

A minister has an approval limit of a 100 mill.while heads of govt agencies varies.2.5-10 in sum cases..

Everything about this minister get K leg.

my

Awon way ray!

Lai Muhammed can lie
APC stinks .
Their followers stupid
The minister us corrupt
Is NBC a bank that he should be requesting a loan

Change government is a joke
We have a four year void
I look up to lord and 2o19


Igbo are correct after all

Before Lai said no explanations, now they wanna explain, it seems they've perfected the lies and wanna dish it out as usual....

Am not interested

SirREX94:
Should have asked bubu how he '' funds his junketerings''. IMAO...

who the explanation EPP..

Not interested in all dox bla bla benefits without roots. How do they arrive at 13M for five people? Na one month dem dey plan spend in china or they also want to go to the forbidden city?

Barawo banza. Thieves claiming saint progressives.
This press release further show that these heavenly ministers are far corrupt than corruption itself.
a Yoruba adage says..eni to BA paro a jale. Meaning if you lies too much, you will sure steal. Lie Mohamed is the father of liars so he must also steal.
Useless hypocrites. Karma is a bitch!!!

Lie himself

13million Naira for a 5 member delegation.

Lai and co are definitely flying Business class or First class Paid with Govt Money.

Lai and co will collect warm clothing allowance is US dollars

Lai and co are staying in 4 or 5 star hotels Paid for by tax payers

Lai and co would get incidentals.

PS: they are legally entitled to this jamboree and dollar rain once the money is signed by Audit/Account dept at the Ministry

And you tell people to find artisan or unskilled employment.

This life...This life

Hmmmmm

Are we supposed to believe this. Whatever!

Apelex:


A minister has an approval limit of a 100 mill.while heads of govt agencies varies.2.5-10 in sum cases..

N100milliin approval to travel abroad? Can you quote the exact regulation please?

For your information, it is absolutely illegal for a ministry to take a loan from an agency under its supervision. It is against extant financial regulations.