Civil Group, SERAP accuses Agriculture Ministry of diverting Billions of Naira meant for Capital Projects without appropriation

Sahara Reporters

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has alleged that the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development misappropriated funds amounting to N375,785,893 meant for RUGA project sometime in 2019.

SERAP further alleged that the money was rather used on the transportation of victims from areas affected by banditry in Zamfara State and sensitisation visits to the governor of the state, Bello Matawalle. 

It also said the ministry spent N48,425,543,895.72 (approximately N48 billion) without any budgetary appropriation. 

The group said it suspected that the ministry had misappropriated the money as such spendings were considered as a violation of the Presidential directive to suspend the RUGA scheme.

Also, the Ministry was said to have overpaid N24,799,539.17 to contractors for agricultural equipment and then failed to collect the money, contrary to paragraph 234 of the Financial Regulations in 2019.

SERAP also accused the ministry of failing to remit N89,100,573.53 (KN89 billion) of deducted taxes to the appropriate authorities. 

This was disclosed on its Twitter page on Thursday where it stated, “The Federal Ministry of…