Presidency Removes Officials of Niger School Feeding C’ttee

By Laleye Dipo in Minna

The presidency has removed two top officials of the Niger State school feeding committee, THISDAY has learnt.
A top source said the Niger State Government had been told by the presidency to transfer the scheme to the state Ministry of Women Affairs for “better management and accountability.”

Also, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) according to the source, was directed to look into the books of the organisation to ascertain how N1.2 billion disbursed to the state office for the feeding of pupils was spent.
In fact, operatives of the EFCC were in Minna at the weekend to comb the offices of organisation, but no arrest was made.
No reason was given for the removal of the two top officials but it was gathered that the shoddy way the scheme was handled was responsible for the federal governments action.

The scheme it was learnt, was suspended after only two weeks following outcry from major stakeholders that they were shortchanged in the allocation of funds by the state office.
Similarly, pupils who were the end beneficiaries of the programme complained loudly that they were treated like beggars in the sharing of food.
When contacted, the state Commissioner for Women Affairs, Mrs. Amina Musa, confirmed that her ministry had been directed to take over the school feeding programme.

Musa however, declined to say what was responsible, saying: “I have been directed to take over. I have taken over; I have already been to the presidency for briefing.”
Press further, the commissioner said: “I was not part of the last committee; I have ruled the line we are already forging ahead.”