From Isaac Anumihe, Abuja
The Ministry of Works has dismissed claims that the former Ministry of Works and Housing mismanaged N4.64 billion.
In a statement, the Special Adviser (Media) to the Minister of Works, Orji Uchenna Orji, described the allegation as a misrepresentation of the Auditor-General of the Federation’s report. The report purportedly investigated financial management within the ministry between 2020 and 2021, specifically indicting the housing sector for unauthorised expenditure totalling N4.64 billion.
Orji stated that the claim was false and aimed at distracting and discrediting the current Minister of Works, Senator Nweze David Umahi.
“He cannot be blackmailed by the antics of those who want the old order in the works sector to continue. He is focused and battle-ready against the giant inhibitors of progress in the works sector,” Orji said.
He added that the minister remains committed to restructuring the works sector, eliminating inefficiencies, and resisting the influence of entrenched cartels that have impeded progress in delivering cost-effective and durable road infrastructure.
“The activities of these desperate detractors are well known, but let them be assured that there is no going back in the determination of the Minister of Works to rejig the sector. The track records and antecedents of the Minister of Works are in the public domain,” he added.
Orji urged the public to disregard the publication, reiterating that it misrepresents the Auditor-General’s report and clarifying that the alleged mismanagement does not concern the current administration.
“While we know the intention of these detractors, we are surprised that they could be so petty as to brazenly and unconscionably put the picture and the name of the serving Minister of Works, Engineer Nweze David Umahi, on the caption of their publication to create an impression to the gullible and unsuspecting readers that the person referred to was the serving Minister of Works,” Orji concluded.