Nasarawa Assembly Demands Answers on Undisbursed N4.5bn Women's Loan

The Nasarawa State House of Assembly has uncovered N4.5 billion in unspent World Bank loan funds intended for a women's empowerment program in the state.

The legislature is demanding a clear explanation for why the massive sum, released by the World Bank through the Federal Government and held by the State Ministry of Women Affairs for the "Nigeria For Women Program Scale-Up" initiative, was never distributed to its intended beneficiaries.

The Chairman of the House Committee on Public Accounts, Hon. Solomon Yakubu Akwashiki, disclosed this during a public hearing in Lafia.

He stated that the most alarming aspect is that the state government has already begun servicing the loan, despite the funds remaining entirely untouched and not used for their intended purpose.

"We are sad and not happy with your explanation that the World Bank through the Federal Government has released a loan amounting to N4.5 billion to be distributed to women in the State... and the money is still domiciled at the State Ministry of Women Affairs while the State Government is already servicing the loan," Akwashiki said.

The Public Accounts Committee demanded a written explanation from the Hon. Commissioner for Women Affairs, Barr. Hauwa Jugbo. They stressed the critical need for all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) in the state to operate with transparency and accountability.

"The Nasarawa state government is doing well in road, water, and other infrastructure, but there must be transparency in all MDA activities," Akwashiki stressed.

The Committee also expressed broader concern over the state's huge external debt portfolio of N81 billion, which incurs a monthly interest deduction of N555 million from the state's allocation from the Federation Account.

Consequently, Hon. Akwashiki directed all MDAs in the state to submit their complete loan and debt records to the Debt Management Office within two weeks, reaffirming the Assembly's commitment to ensuring transparency and accountability in government operations

Timescope news