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… Another N2.4bn Budgeted for Generators and Maintenance
In a shocking revelation, investigative journalist Jackson Ude has exposed an alleged scandalously padded 2024 budget prepared by the Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Dayo Mobereola. The budget, which was passed by the National Assembly, allocates a staggering N3.5 billion for office cleaning and vehicle maintenance in a single year.
According to Ude, who shared the details on his X handle, the financial report in his possession shows that NIMASA has earmarked N2.4 billion for the maintenance and operation of generating sets. This amount is broken down into N2.1 billion for fuelling and lubricating the sets, and N300 million for their maintenance.
“This is over 30 percent more than what was budgeted for the same items in 2023,” Ude noted, highlighting the lack of fiscal prudence at the agency. This increase comes despite the austerity measures that are supposed to align with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope vision for a new Nigeria.
Dr. Mobereola, a known ally of President Tinubu and a former Managing Director of the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA), has been accused of grossly inflating the budget.
Under general office expenses, which include office cleaning, fumigation, waste/sewage removal, and operational contingency, NIMASA plans to spend N1.413 billion in 2024.
According to the Journalist, further scrutiny of the budget reveals that N2.13 billion has been allocated for the maintenance of operational vehicles.
This includes N700 million for fueling, N1.12 billion for quarterly maintenance allowances, N66 million for tyres and other accessories, N103.95 million for general repairs, N100 million for vehicle refurbishment, N13.2 million for registration and renewal of vehicle particulars, N16.45 million for drivers’ uniforms, N6 million for security trackers, and N5 million for hiring vehicles for official assignments.
The financial document also shows that NIMASA under the leadership of Dayo Mobereola will spend N900 million on the maintenance of its London office, a significant increase from the N500 million budgeted last year. Additionally, the budget for operational expenses and imprest has been increased from N600 million in 2023 to N760 million in 2024.
“This is just Part 1 of the scandalous budget!” Ude exclaimed, promising more revelations to come.
The public and stakeholders are now calling for a thorough investigation into these budget allocations, questioning the transparency and accountability of NIMASA under Mobereola’s leadership.
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