BINYEREM Ukaire, a permanent secretary in the Ministry of Information and National Orientation, has reportedly stalled the release of funds approved by President Bola Tinubu for agencies under the ministry.
News Point Nigeria reports that, according to a report by Premium Times, the permanent secretary “refused to approve the payment files because the heads of the agencies declined her request to appear before her”.
The newspaper reported that the funds have remained withheld for more than a week without any official explanation from the ministry.
The affected agencies include the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN), Voice of Nigeria (VON), National Orientation Agency (NOA), and the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC).
Although the total amount approved by the President was not disclosed, the report said Tinubu approved the funds about three weeks ago to strengthen the operations and activities of the agencies.
According to the report, multiple sources said Ukaire requested that the heads of the affected agencies appear before her to make detailed presentations on their operations, including their activities, the status of ongoing projects, and their proposed utilisation of the approved funds.
However, the request was reportedly rejected by the agency heads, who argued that it was inconsistent with established civil service practice, according to one of the sources quoted by the newspaper.
The report added that some heads of the affected agencies confirmed the development but requested anonymity over concerns of possible victimisation.
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, was said to have intervened in the matter in an effort to resolve the disagreement.
However, according to the report, the permanent secretary allegedly maintained her position, insisting that the agency heads must appear before her and make presentations before the funds would be released.
One of the agency heads reportedly argued that the agencies were accountable to their respective boards and the supervising minister, rather than permanent secretaries.
The official was quoted as saying that the delay had affected ongoing projects and disrupted the operations of the agencies.
The report cited a circular issued by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) on August 2, 1999, which outlines the relationship between ministries and government-owned parastatals.
“The circular states that parastatals and government-owned companies are established by law with substantial autonomy and operational flexibility to enable them to provide services efficiently outside the mainstream civil service,” the report stated.
“It also provides that supervising ministries should not assume the day-to-day management of parastatals.
“On financial matters, the circular directs ministries to avoid interfering in the finances of the agencies under their control.
“It specifically states that ministries should not divert their subventions to unrelated ministry expenditures or require agencies to fund ministry expenses, including guest houses, vehicle fleets or estacode allowances for ministers and ministry officials.”
It remains unclear whether the 1999 circular is still in force.
Responding to the allegations, Ukaire confirmed to Premium Times that the funds had not yet been released but explained that the payment file was still being processed.
TheCable also contacted the permanent secretary for further clarification, but she had not responded to calls or messages as of the time of filing the report.
The development comes amid growing concerns among federal lawmakers over what they describe as poor implementation of budgetary provisions under the Tinubu administration, with legislators attributing some of the challenges to inadequate funding and delayed cash backing for approved projects.