The Federation Accounts Allocation Committee (FAAC) plans to spend about N25million to acquire IPADs and tablet PCs for to its members.
Although the plan had been on the cards since last year, Premium Times gathered that the actual purchase and distribution of the tablet computers to each of the over 100 members of the committee had to be delayed because some members had other preferences.
During the meeting of the committee held last week in Abuja, it was gathered that members drew the attention of the Minister of State for Finance, Yerima Ngama, who is also the FAAC Chairman, to their resolution at the meeting of the Commissioners of Finance Forum to the effect that some of them would prefer PC tablets to the IPAD, which appears to be the fad among chief executives in Nigeria.
Mr. Ngama was reported to have asked members to forward the details of their preferences to the FAAC secretariat to facilitate the award of the contract for the supply of the equipment, which is expected to facilitate effective discharge of members’ responsibilities.
But, observers describe the plan as wasteful, as most of the intended beneficiaries do not need IPAD from FAAC to function effectively.
“Members of the FAAC do not need an IPAD to function effectively,” the President, Niger Delta Budget Monitoring Group (NDEBUMOG), George-Hill Anthony, said.
“Members of the FAAC are made up Commissioners of Finance and Accountants General of the 36 states of the federation as well as those in charge of finance in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). They also include representatives of the revenue agencies like the Customs, Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) and Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).
“Their responsibility is just to represent their constituencies in the sharing of the monthly allocations. All they require to discharge that function, including their transport, feeding, accommodation and general welfare, are already taken care of. All facilities to assist them discharge their duties are provided, including, if necessary, IPADs.
“If FAAC was looking for who to give IPADs, it would have made more sense sending them to some of our universities and even secondary schools that are in dire need of computers and educational facilities for learning. This is another clever way government officials steal from the annual budget.”
The going market price of the computer is between $600 and $850 (about N96,000 and N136,000). But, it was gathered that the committee plans to purchase the system for about N260,000 each for the 106 members at a total contract sum of almost N30million, including other logistics in the transaction.

“This is the amount of money that would be enough to provide about 100 boreholes to most communities without a reliable source of potable water in the Niger Delta currently suffering from the devastation of oil exploration that produces the money the committee gathers every month to share,” Mr. Anthony said.

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'authority stealing'

So now ipads are a means to effective discharge of duty. Interesting

one day - money will finish

wonderful...that is demo[/b]stration of [b]cra[/b]zi[b]cy for you.

100+ ipads (let's say 200 ipads at most since it says 100+)
that will be (30,000,000 X 150(dollar/naira ratio))/200 ipads ) = 20+ mil in naira.

So, they can't buy iPAD on their own? With all d money they embezzle?

I dont seem to understand where all the allowances these reps collect every month go to when they cannot buy the gadgets from that without undermining the need for the ipad at the age and time.

If they must have tablets, give them PlayBooks. They're better, and WAY cheaper.

any link to the directors

pls house, which network 3G internet modem is best for streaming, especially live events such as a match. Honest and sincere response urgently needed; Thanks.

A good idea. It could ease up the need to travel needlessly as they could have meetings over Facetime. Then things like document sharing and working actively in a virtual environment.

Don't anything bad in this unless they decide not to return these iPads to the FaaC @ the end of their tenures.

And people should stop these 30million can build 20 boreholds type statements. I bet that person's salary can also build 1 or 2 boreholes somewhere in the village.

When used right an Ipad can aidproductivity and create lesser overhead costs.

Iolo: A good idea. It could ease up the need to travel needlessly as they could have meetings over Facetime. Then things like document sharing and working actively in a virtual environment.

Don't anything bad in this unless they decide not to return these iPads to the FaaC @ the end of their tenures.

And people should stop these 30million can build 20 boreholds type statements. I bet that person's salary can also build 1 or 2 boreholes somewhere in the village.

When used right an Ipad can aidproductivity and create lesser overhead costs.

guy, U smoke pot? What the hell? How do U know these lazy illitrates will ever get to use these gadgets, let alone for the purpose which they were purchased U back-stabbing pineapple phone sapper! Well, No b ur fault, snake no fit born dog.

Thank God for people like Mr. Anthony...i hope he's not coerced into allowing such blatant and wicked squandering of NIGERIA'S WEALTH! Heaven knows they can afford pc's and ipads from their 'basic salaries',aside their bonuses..etc!!..when will such insensitivity stop?


@Iolo, screw you man! Wish i could punch you in the face till you bleed! FYI,THEY ARE STATUTORILY MANDATED TO "MEET IN PERSON" For every monthly meeting! And yes,N30M CAN PROVIDE BOREHOLES FOR COMMUNITIES!

Waste!!!

Why iPad and not Zinox ? What happens to all the preaching about rebranding and local content ? Awon sir werey !

Iolo: A good idea. It could ease up the need to travel needlessly as they could have meetings over Facetime. Then things like document sharing and working actively in a virtual environment.

Don't anything bad in this unless they decide not to return these iPads to the FaaC @ the end of their tenures.

And people should stop these 30million can build 20 boreholds type statements. I bet that person's salary can also build 1 or 2 boreholes somewhere in the village.

When used right an Ipad can aidproductivity and create lesser overhead costs.

U r talking as if dis faac members r computer literate. *smh*