N585m Project Fund: AGF Counters Betta Edu, Says Minister’s Request Was Not Carried Out

The Accountant-General of the Federation (AGF), Dr. Oluwatoyin Madein, has said she did not carry out the request of the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr. Betta Edu.

Dr. Madein said no bulk money “is supposed to be made to an individual’s account in the name of Project Accountant”.

The accountant-general said this in reaction to a memo that surfaced on Friday, where Edu asked her to pay the sum of N585 million to Oniyelu Bridget Mojisola, said to be project accountant for the Renewed Hope Grant for vulnerable groups.

The development has since elicited outrage among social media users.

In a statement on Saturday, Bawa Mokwa, director of press in the AGF’s office, quoted Madein as saying her office does not make payments for projects implemented by ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs).

“Allocations are released to self-accounting MDAs in line with the budget and such MDAs are responsible for the implementation of their projects and payments for such projects,” she said.

“The AGF explained that although her Office received the said request from the Ministry, it did not carry out the payment.

“The Ministry was however advised on the appropriate steps to take in making such payments in line with the established payment procedure.”

Madein said beneficiaries of projects should be paid through their verified bank accounts.

The AGF added that she is determined to uphold the principles of accountability and transparency in the management of public finances, adding that MDAs should always ensure that the requisite steps are followed in carrying out financial transactions.