A Nigerian agency, National Agency for Science & Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) has paid self N122.4 million as a resource person for a single training.
Under the deal, NASENI in a shocking example of corruption that has undermined Nigeria, development, paid itself the sum of N122,431,525.00 as a resource person for a solar power training conducted for its staff.
In the deal that was struck with the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology, National Agency for Science & Engineering Infrastructure awarded the contract to itself, using its Abuja headquarters.
This is even as the agency’s action violates Nigeria’s Procurement Act and civil service rule that allows for a bid or advertisement before a contract involving such a huge amount of money will be carried out.
Worse still, NASENI turns itself into a contractor that executes its own contract and pays itself.
When MAWA Foundation sought NASENI’s response regarding paying self N122,431,525.00 as a resource person for a single training, a senior of the agency said he does not speak to a faceless group.
A senior official of the agency who spoke to MAWA on the condition of anonymity, said NASANI’s operations are often carried out in secrecy because of corruption it has over the years practiced.