HEDA Urges EFCC Probe: NSPRI N683.8M Funds Mismanagement

• HEDA has urged the EFCC to investigate the Nigerian Stored Products Research Institute over alleged N683.8 million spending.
• The institute reportedly spent the sum on projects outside its statutory mandate in a single day, as detailed by a Foundation for Investigative Journalism report.
• Projects included health center renovations, streetlights, and solar mini-grids across five different states.
• HEDA calls for an independent investigation into procurement procedures and compliance with public fund regulations.
• The organization emphasizes the need for accountability, transparency, and public disclosure of investigation outcomes to build confidence in government resource management.

The Human and Environmental Development Agenda has called for a thorough and impartial investigation into the alleged N683.8 million expenditure by the Nigerian Stored Products Research Institute, citing concerns over public fund management and adherence to statutory mandates.

The Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA) has formally requested that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) launch an investigation into the Nigerian Stored Products Research Institute (NSPRI). This call stems from allegations that the institute improperly spent N683.8 million on projects that fall outside its established statutory responsibilities, with the entire sum reportedly expended on a single day.

In a statement released on Sunday, HEDA Resource Centre, through its chairman Olanrewaju Suraju, articulated significant concerns regarding the management of public funds and the legitimacy of the payments made by the research institution. The demand for an inquiry follows a detailed report published by the Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ), titled “NSPRI Spends Taxpayers’ N683.8m on Odd Projects in 1 Day,” which brought these financial transactions to light.

According to the FIJ report, the NSPRI, which is based in Ilorin, Kwara State, executed 14 distinct payments to 14 different companies on May 10. These payments were purportedly for a diverse array of projects, including the renovation of health centers, workshops for polytechnic institutions, installation of streetlights, construction of boreholes, provision of tricycles, various empowerment initiatives, and the deployment of solar mini-grids.

The report further alleged that these projects were situated in federal constituencies spanning Borno, Benue, Yobe, Kwara, and Niger states. This geographical spread, coupled with the nature of the projects, raised questions about their direct relevance to the institute's core mandate. Specific transactions highlighted by the FIJ included a N104.5 million payment to Shamal Construction Limited for solar mini-grids in the Maiduguri Metropolitan Constituency of Borno State, and N99.1 million allocated to Tripplehech Resources Limited for agricultural capacity-building training within the same constituency. Additionally, N78.2 million was reportedly paid to Scelta Construction Limited for solar mini-grids, N53.8 million to Shafana Enterprises as a 30 percent mobilization fee for a farmers’ market project in Benue State, and N52.2 million to Ajagba Nigeria Limited for a solar mini-grid project in Yobe State.

The statutory mandate of the Nigerian Stored Products Research Institute primarily involves conducting research into the post-harvest handling of agricultural commodities, developing relevant equipment, and disseminating research findings to various stakeholders such as farmers, industrialists, produce handlers, and inspectors. HEDA has underscored the apparent disparity between these core responsibilities and the types of projects detailed in the investigative report.

Reacting to these serious allegations, HEDA emphasized that the reported transactions necessitate an independent investigation to ascertain the precise circumstances surrounding the payments, the procurement procedures that were followed, and whether public funds were expended in strict accordance with all applicable laws and regulations. The organization has urged the EFCC to determine if any financial impropriety or abuse of public office occurred and to initiate appropriate legal action should any wrongdoing be substantiated.

The Human and Environmental Development Agenda has called for a thorough and impartial investigation into the alleged N683.8 million expenditure by the Nigerian Stored Products Research Institute, citing concerns over public fund management and adherence to statutory mandates. HEDA stressed the critical importance of public institutions being held accountable for their expenditures and ensuring that public resources are managed responsibly.

Furthermore, the organization has appealed to relevant oversight authorities to meticulously examine the institute’s procurement and expenditure records. This examination is crucial to guarantee that public funds allocated to government research institutions are utilized transparently and solely for their intended purposes. Chairman Olanrewaju Suraju reiterated the significance of accountability and responsible management of public funds, advocating for a comprehensive and unbiased investigation. HEDA also called for the findings of any investigation to be made public, subject to legal requirements, to bolster public confidence in the stewardship of government resources.

Lawyers advising government agencies or public officials should note the heightened scrutiny on public fund expenditure and procurement, particularly when projects fall outside an entity's statutory mandate. Compliance officers must ensure robust internal controls and strict adherence to procurement laws to mitigate risks of financial impropriety investigations by bodies like the EFCC.

Source: Original reporting via The PUNCH.