The Senate Committee on Gas has given the Minister of Finance, Wale Edun, a seven-day ultimatum to provide details of the award and disbursement of over N100 billion to companies involved in handling the Presidential Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) projects. The committee’s request comes amid allegations of a breach of the Public Procurement Act 2017.
The lawmakers expressed concern over the plans by the Presidential CNG Initiative (PCNG) to release another N130 billion to unspecified companies, despite an earlier warning from the Gas Committee that spending taxpayers’ money on gas infrastructure projects without National Assembly approval would constitute extra-budgetary expenditure and a violation of procurement laws.
The committee had previously commended President Bola Tinubu for the CNG initiatives but urged the President to present a supplementary budget to cover such spending. The latest request for information follows a petition by the “Good Governance and Transparency Front,” accusing the PCNG Initiative’s Steering Committee Chairman of approving funds disbursement without due process.
The committee chair, Jarigbe Agom, asked the finance minister to provide comprehensive records of the award and disbursement of over N100 billion, along with a list of companies engaged in the project. The committee emphasized the importance of transparency, adherence to due process, and public trust in such initiatives. The minister was given seven days to submit the requested information.
