By Akinsuroju Olubunmi
Fuel justification: Minister explains
The Minister of Women Affairs, Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye, on Monday defended spending N1.5m to fuel six vehicles in her convoy for a trip to Anambra State.
Kennedy-Ohanenye, appearing on Channels Television’s Politics Today, addressed the scrutiny over her ministry’s expenditures, including N1.5m for fuel, N45 million for a New Year party, and N20 million for sanitary pads. She expressed surprise at the lawmakers’ questioning of the fuel cost, emphasizing the logistical requirements of her convoy.
“How many vehicles? I traveled with the staff in the bus, two security vehicles, one DSS and one police, my vehicle, the backup, and the other one. About six vehicles went all the way to Anambra State for a job and we came back. What is N1.5m for those cars? Everybody knows how much fuel cost since I came in,” she said. Kennedy-Ohanenye criticized the lawmakers for not allowing her to explain the expenditures fully.
The minister clarified that the budget, including the N45m party expense, was approved before she assumed office. The party hosted 33 schools in the Federal Capital Territory, providing bags and other items to students. She reiterated that the contracts and expenses were inherited from her predecessor and were part of the ministry’s prior commitments.
Kennedy-Ohanenye explained, “Let me start by saying that last year’s budget was not done while I was there. All the contracts were also not awarded while I was there. Most of them were awarded in March and the contract money was released in May before I arrived in August. When I came in, I heard about the contract and checked some of them.”
Despite these inherited challenges, the minister stressed her commitment to changing the ministry’s narrative. “I always fought for new narratives since I came; this was partly one of the things I never would have tolerated as a minister. But my hands were tied,” she stated.
Fuel Justification: Minister Explains